^yuJ^  fy^^'ff-^'-'-^ 


niversity    of    Cdlifornia,    Los    Angeles 


The 


Fritz  L.  Hoffmann  Collection 


A  Gift  of 


Olgd  Mingo  Hoffmann 


FRANCISCO    PIZAKRO. 


WITH    PIZARRO 


IX 


PERU 


1!Y 


C.  FALKENHORST 


ADAPTED    BY    ELISE   L.  LATHROP 


ILLUSTRATED 


NEW  YORK 

WORTHINGTON   COMPANY 

747   Broadway 

1892 


Copyright,  1892 

WORTHINGTON  COMPANY 

New  York 


SRLF 
URL 


1 


WITH  PIZARRO  IN  PEEU. 


Whoever  wishes  nowadays  to  take  a  journey 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  Ocean  across  the 
istlmms  of  Panama  need  malve  no  great  prepara- 
tions. In  two  liours  and  a  half  the  railway  train 
will  take  you  from  Colon  to  Panama.  The  train 
winds  through  the  mountain  range  and  does  not 
even  ascend  very  perceptibly,  for  the  highest  point 
of  the  railway  lies  only  eighty  metres  above  the 
level  of  the  sea.  Man  has  bridged  ravines  and  rush- 
ing mountain  streams  and  in  this  way  built  a  level 
road. 

Parallel  with  the  railway  in  many  places,  can 
be  seen  the  deserted  Panama  Canal.  The  civilized 
world  has  sacrificed  millions  to  bind  together  the 
two  oceans,  but  nature  has  shown  herself  more 
powerful  in  this  little  strip  of  land,  and  opposes 
to  human  efforts  solid  rock,  overflows  the  work 


4  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

with  rushing  mountain  streams,  causes  poisonous, 
pestilential  vai:)ors  to  arise  from  the  valleys,  and 
the  canal  diggers  are  forced  to  give  way  before 
her. 

Yes,  it  is  wild,  this  isthmus  of  Panama,  and  if 
we  wander  from  the  road  built  with  such  diffi- 
culty, and  climb  the  mountains — the  whole  range 
is  but  ten  miles  wide—  we  soon  find  ourselves  in 
forests  which  are  everywhere  so  dense  that  only 
a  faint  light  penetrating  through  the  thick  foliage 
proclaims  to  us  that  it  is  still  day.  The  first  Euro- 
pean to  penetrate  these  woods  was  the  Spanish 
explorer  and  conqueror  Nunez  Balboa.  At  the 
head  of  a  hundred  and  ninety  Spaniards  and  a 
number  of  bloodhounds,  accompanied  as  well  by 
nine  hundred  Indians,  he  climbed  the  forest-cov- 
ered mountain  range,  here  about  2,000  feet  above 
the  sea  level,  and  by  hidden  paths  through  the 
woods  reached  the  longed-for  summit,  from  which 
his  delighted  eyes  gazed  for  the  first  time  over 
the  immense  mirror-like  surface  of  the  Pacific 
Ocean.  And  on  the  29th  of  September,  1513,  wav- 
ing the  flag  of  Castile,  he  si^rang  knee-deep  into 
the  salt  flood  and  took  possession  of  the  newly 
discovered  sea  and  all  the  shores  which  it  washed, 
from  the  north  pole  to  the  south  i)ole,  in  the  name 
of  the  king  of  Sx^aiu. 


WITH    riZARUo    IN    I'EKU  5 

The  Spauiiirds  not  only  found  along  the  shore 
valuable  pearls,  but  received  still  more  valuable 
information.  There  they  stood  around  their  cop- 
per-colored leader  and  listened  to  his  vague  ac- 
count of  a  land  far  to  the  south,  where  there  was 
an  abundance  of  gold,  and  saw  a  strange  likeness 
of  an  animal,  fashioned  in  clay,  which  resembled 
partly  a  camel,  partly  a  sheep,  the  first  image  of 
a  llama,  of  which  the  ruler  of  that  distant  country 
possessed  whole  herds.  Among  the  listeners  stood 
a  Spanish  soldier  who  could  neither  read  nor 
write,  but  whose  nature  was  most  courageous  and 
his  heart  tilled  with  a  longing  for  gold  and  ambi- 
tion for  fame.  He  resolved  to  continue  the  work 
of  his  leader;  he  found  adventurers  who  joined 
him,  he  fought  his  way  for  an  entire  year  along 
the  coast  to  the  south,  defied  storm,  hunger,  and 
Indian  arrows,  until  he  reached  the  harbor  of  the 
most  powerful  old  American  kingdom.  AVith 
foolhardy  courage,  at  the  head  of  his  weak  force 
he  i^enetrated  into  the  interior  of  the  land,  into 
the  very  camp  of  the  Inca  or  emperor  of  Peru,  and 
took  the  ruler  captive  by  treachery,  subjugated 
the  country,  plundered  it,  and  gave  it  nj)  as  prey 
to  the  rapacity  of  Spanish  adventurers. 

Pizarro's  booty  was  so  great  that  it  threw  that 
of  all  his  predecessors  into  the  shade.     No  won- 


6  WITH   PIZAREO   IN   PERU. 

der  that  numbers  of  the  settlers  of  the  Spanish 
colonies  flocked  to  the  gold  land  of  Peru,  and 
bold  adventurers  came  from  the  mother-country 
also.  Then  the  road  which  Balboa  had  made  was 
much  travelled  over,  and  a  brisk  trade  was  done 
in  the  city  of  Panama,  which  sprung  up  on  the 
coast  of  the  Pacific. 

About  the  year  1540  a  little  band  of  adventurers 
marched  along  the  forest  road  across  the  isthmus. 
Bearded  soldiers,  accompanied  by  their  blood- 
hounds, veterans  Avho  had  fought  under  Cortez, 
Alvarado,  and  other  heroes  of  the  conquest — thus 
were  the  conquerors  of  the  New  World  styled— 
farm  hands  from  the  colonies  of  the  Antilles? 
among  whom  were  also  some  Spanish  women  and 
youths  who  thirsted  for  adventure,  and  like  moths 
around  a  light,  flocked  to  the  wonderful  New 
World,  dazzled  by  the  glowing,  brilliant  descrip- 
tions they  heard — young  adventurers  who  did 
not  know  where  they  were  going,  or  what  they 
would  begin,  who  thought  now  of  the  ^ploughshare, 
now  of  the  sharp  sword.  They  might  dream  now 
and  hope  for  a  brilliant  future,  for  at  that  time 
young,  fresh  strength  was  needed  in  the  New 
World,  and  the  wealthier  settlers  as  well  as  the 
bearded  soldiers  sought  to  win  the  young  people; 
all  promised  them  mountains  of  gold. 


WITH  nzAiiRO  IN  PERtr.  7 

The  little  band  halted  in  a  clearing  in  the  forest. 
There  one  could  survey  the  company  as  they 
emerged  from  the  gloomy  woods  along  the  path, 
and  i)roceeded  to  camp.  Each  Spaniard  had  his 
Indian  to  carry  his  luggage.  There  were  no  wag- 
ons, for  on  these  roads  none  could  pass,  but  the 
Spanish  women  did  not  fare  badly,  servants  and 
slaves  could  so  easily  be  procured  here.  With 
the  loud  confusion  of  human  voices  mingled  the 
lowing  of  cattle  and  the  neighing  of  the  horses, 
several  sheep  bleated,  and  the  grunting  of  swine 
could  also  be  heard.  All  these  animals  were  be- 
ing taken  to  the  new  colonies ;  they  were  Europe's 
return  gifts  for  the  glittering  gold.  The  gay  troop 
gradually  settled  about  the  camp,  and  one  could 
soon  distinguish  the  single  groups ;  the  most  dis- 
tinguished occupied  nearly  half  of  the  camping 
ground,  the  most  horses  and  cattle  belonged  to  this 
group,  and  also  the  most  Indian  slaves  were  clus- 
tered near  by.  The  leader  of  this  caravan  was  a 
gray-bearded  soldier,  Pedro  Alcan,  one  of  Pizarro's 
oldest  companions,  one  of  the  celebrated  thirteen 
who,  in  the  utmost  want  before  Peru  was  reached, 
alone  clung  to  their  leader.  All  the  cattle  and  the 
various  European  wares,  of  which  tools  of  steel  and 
iron  formed  the  most  valuable  part,  Alcan,  after 
having  purchased  them  in  the  Antilles,  according 


8  WITH   PIZARRO   IX   PERU. 

to  Pizarro's  directions,  was  taking  to  Panama,  in 
order  there  to  shij:)  ,tliem  to  Peru.  In  a  journey 
through  this  primeval  forest  affairs  did  not  run 
so  very  smoothly,  and  this  Pedro  Alcan  now 
learned.  One  of  his  Spanish  riders,  who  had  been 
attacked  by  fever  on  the  coast,  had  been  thrown 
from  his  horse  and  so  severely  injured  by  this 
fall  that  several  Indians  w^ere  forced  to  carry  him 
in  a  hammock.  Pedro  Alcan  was  disheartened 
by  this  accident;  he  was  not  only  sorry  for  the 
man,  but  anxioiis  for  the  horse,  because  in  this 
part  of  America  at  that  time  horses  were  more 
valuable  even  than  men  to  the  leaders,  as  war- 
horses  could  only  be  imported  at  great  cost  and 
trouble  from  Eurox)e.  The  Spanish  soldiers  of 
Alcan's  band  were  already  mounted,  and  the  In- 
dians did  not  understand  the  management  of 
horses.     Alcan  was  perplexed. 

While  he  was  considering  what  he  should  do, 
and  had  turned  away  from  the  injured  man's  bed, 
his  eyes  chanced  to  rest  upon  a  young  Si)aniard 
who  was  leaning  against  a  tree  and  watching  the 
gay  camj)  scene. 

Alcan  was  already  acquainted  with  this  fellow- 
traveller,  w^ho  wore  a  sword  at  his  side,  carried 
but  a  small  bundle,  and  was  not  waited  upon  by  a 
single  Indian  servant.     He  knew  that  the  young 


WITH    VIZWAK)    IX    VVAIV.  9 

man  was  the  son  of  an  hidalgo,  one  of  tliose  Span- 
ish country  nobles  who  liave  little  land  and  less 
money,  but  great  i)ride.  He  had  left  Spain  to  seek 
an  uncle  in  Panama,  and  was,  therefore,  untrou- 
bled about  his  future. 

"Good-evening,  Senor  de  Calabrera,"  said  Al- 
can,  addressing  him.  "  You  are  an  excellent  pe- 
destrian ;  all  honor  to  your  marching ;  but  it  surely 
would  not  be  disagreeable  to  you  to  travel  the 
rest  of  the  way  on  horseback.  How  do  you  like 
the  chestnut  yonder?  You  were  scrutinizimj  him 
with  the  eye  of  a  connoisseur." 

Amador  de  Calabrera,  who  had  no  suspicions  of 
Alcan's  embarrassment,  misunderstood  this  speech. 
He  frowned,  reflected  for  but  an  instant,  and  then 
replied  sharply:  "The  animal  has  soft  hoofs,  Mr. 
Alcan.  The  stony  ground  of  Peru  will  be  ill 
suited  to  them.  I  feel  more  at  ease  as  regards 
the  swine  lying  there,  they  will  fall  into  good 
hands.     They  understand  these  animals  in  Peru." 

Now  it  was  Pedro  Alcan's  turn  to  frown — ves, 
he  fairly  started,  and  his  right  hand  grasped  his 
sword-handle.  Alcan  knew  very  well  what  the 
young  Amador  meant.  Pizarro,  the  present  vice- 
roy of  Peru,  had  tended  swine  in  his  youth,  and 
was,  therefore,  mockingly  termed  by  his  enemies 
and  enviers  Porquero,  or  the  swineherd. 


10  WITH   PIZAKKO   IN   PERU. 

Amador  de  Calabrera  seemed  to  find  satisfac- 
tion in  the  old  soldier's  anger:  he  did  not  place 
himself  on  the  defensive,  only  crossed  his  arms  on 
his  breast  and  gazed  at  Alcan  triumphantly.  At 
this  moment  Amador  was  a  splendid-looking  fel- 
low. His  hat  was  pushed  far  back  on  his  head, 
and  from  beneath  it  the  rich  broAvn  hair  hung 
over  his  white  forehead.  His  clear  brown  eyes 
sparkled  gayly,  and  his  red  lips  wore  a  saucy 
smile  beneath  the  slight  dark  mustache.  Owing 
to  the  heat,  Amador  had  unbuttoned  the  top  but- 
tons of  liis  shirt,  and  Alcan  could  see  that  this  firm 
head  surmounted  a  firm  neck  and  broad,  powerful 
chest.  The  anger  gradually  vanished  from  Al- 
can's  eyes;  he  gazed  with  satisfaction  at  the 
young  man,  who  was  strong  but  not  stout,  power- 
ful and  yet  supple. 

"  If  he  had  blond  hair,"Alcan  thought  to  himself, 
"  I  would  take  him  for  the  hero  Alvarado,  whom 
in  his  youth  the  Mexicans  called  Tonathili,  or  the 
sun.  Ah,  we  are  all  children  of  the  sun  in  the 
eyes  of  the  Indians.  The  Peruvians  call  us  vira- 
coclia—bwt  one  would  seek  in  vain  in  the  whole 
army  of  Pizarrofor  such  a  true  viracoclia.  I  cer- 
tainly must  bring  this  Mars  and  Apollo  in  one 
person  to  the  City  of  Kings  in  Peru !  " 

Slowly  his  hand  slipped  from  his  sword-hilt, 


WITH    PIZARKO   IN   PERU.  11 

and  as  he  drew  nearer,  he  said:  "Do  not  troiil)le 
yourself  about  the  chestnut,  Sefior  de  Cal'a])rera, 
the  swineherds  and  conquerors  of  Peru  know  liow 
to  protect  soft  hoofs  from  stony  ground.  Wlien 
we  rode  from  Pachacamac  over  the  rocky  and 
snowy  pass  of  the  Cordilleras,  to  put  down  the  In- 
dian insurrection  in  the  capital,  our  horses  lost 
their  shoes.  We  knew  what  to  do:  shoes  were 
made  of  gold  and  silver,  and  gold  and  silver  shod 
our  squadron  crossed  the  mountains  to  rush  down 
upon  the  enemy.  Tell  me,  what  king  or  emperor 
in  the  world  has  commanded  such  a  squadron? 
But  this  aside.  It  is  not  the  custom  of  line  hijos 
hidalgos  to  give  a  rough  answer  to  friendly  ques- 
tions. My  soldier  who  rode  the  chestnut  horse  is 
ill,  and  I  am  seriously  looking  for  a  man  who  will 
oblige  me  by  riding  the  animal  to  Panama.  What 
do  you  say  to  it  now,  Sefior  de  Calabrera?" 

"  Oh,  if  the  matter  stands  thus,"  replied  Ama- 
dor, flushing  slightly,  "then  I  must  tell  you,  sir 
cai)tain,  that  I  know  no  king  or  emperor  whose 
soldiers  ride  gold-shod  chargers:  but  less  for  that 
reason  than  in  admiration  of  the  great  victories  of 
the  Spaniards  in  the  distant  fairy-land  of  gold, 
I  remove  my  hat  to  the  chivalrous  and  famous 
viceroy  of  Peru."  He  did  in  fact  remove  his  hat, 
and  Alcan  returned  the  courtesy,  adding  with  a 


12  WITH   PIZAT^KO   TN   PERU. 

smile,  "  You  would  be  more  astonished  were  you 
to  see  Peru,  with  its  fortilications,  temples,  and 
palaces,  its  fields  and  gardens,  its  smiling  valleys 
and  glittering  snow-crowned  mountains,  its  pretty 
maidens  and  bravely  caparisoned  warriors.  But 
of  that  later;  may  I  ask  you  how  the  chestnut 
pleases  you  now?" 

"  Excellently,  sir  captain,"  replied  Amador, 
"  and  vou  may  be  sure  that  he  will  be  well  cared 
for;  for,  look  you,  as  the  money  did  not  hold  out 
for  my  studies  in  medicine,  I  have  helped  my 
father  on  the  estate." 

"  Then  you  are  my  man,  Sehor  de  Calabrera," 
said  Alcan,  giving  Amador  his  hand.  "  I  beg  you 
to  come  to  my  camp.  You  will  be  treated  as  a 
guest." 

"  Make  no  ceremony,  captain,"  replied  Amador. 
"  I  will  willingly  submit  to  discipline,  and  from 
here  to  Panama  be  nothing  more  than  a  brave 
cavalryman." 

Both  now  went  up  to  the  chestnut,  which  had 
been  the  cause  of  their  nearer  acquaintance- 
ship. 

Alcan  smiled  contentedly.  "Until  Panama?" 
he  murmured  to  himself.  "  No,  noble  Amador, 
our  hearts  went  out  to  each  other,  that  was  the 
true  ring.     You  will  not  j)lant  sugar-cane  in  Pan- 


WITH   PIZAllIU)   IN   PERU.  I'.i 

ama,  no;  yon  will  help  Pizarro  in  Peru  to  over- 
throw his  malicious  enemies!  " 

Dark  night  has  settled  down  over  the  tropical 
forest.  The  gay-plum  aged  birds  and  the  shim- 
mering swarm  of  insects,  who  are  accustomed  to 
rejoice  in  their  existence  in  the  sunlight  among 
bright-colored  flowers,  have  retired  to  rest.  From 
deep  hiding-places,  from  the  dark  recesses  under 
the  mouldering  tree-trunks  and  the  thick  ferns, 
creeps  the  gray  swarm  of  the  night.  Invisible 
moths  and  dark  beetles  emerge  from  the  cavities 
in  the  branches  of  the  rotten  trees,  from  rocky 
hollows  noiselessly  the  night  birds  fly  up,  and 
the  bats  flutter  around;  a  new  life,  as  different  as 
possible  from  that  of  the  day,  begins  in  the  prime- 
val forest,  and  innumerable  bright  insects,  flies, 
and  beetles  illuminate  the  gloomy  scenery. 

In  the  camp  of  the  colonists  the  night  had  ef- 
fected a  change.  The  weary  servants  slept  in  long 
rows,  in  tents  made  of  twigs  and  leaves  slumbered 
the  Spanish  women  who  were,  to  found  a  new 
home  in  the  distant  New  World.  The  colonists 
also  slept  who  were  to  win  the  fruit  of  America's 
soil  by  the  sweat  of  their  brow;  they  slept  calmly, 
for  Alcan,  the  gray-bearded  soldier,  had  placed 
sentinels  on  guard,  so  they  were  safe  from  any  at- 


14  WITH   PIZARKO    IN^    PERU. 

tack  of  the  wild  Indians  who  still  lived  unre- 
strained in  the  distant  valleys  of  these  wild  moun- 
tains, according  to  the  habits  of  their  fathers,  and 
whose  hearts  were  filled  with  the  most  passionate 
hatred  of  the  strange  oppressors. 

But  it  is  not  nearly  midnight.  Darkness  comes 
on  so  quickly  in  these  countries.  The  night  lasts 
almost  twelve  hours. 

A  huge  camp-fire  burns  in  front  of  Alcan's  tent 
close  beside  it  he  and  several  Spaniards  are  re- 
clining. Pizarro's  old  comrade  does  not  leave  his 
guests  with  dry  throats.  See  what  luxury !  He 
hands  round  a  goblet  filled  with  wine.  It  is  Span- 
ish wine  which  he  has  bought  for  a  large  sum  in 
the  Antilles.  But  the  old  soldier  does  not  spare 
it;  he  wishes  to  enjoy  himself,  and  is  generous. 
He  drinks  often  so  that  his  throat  will  not  become 
dry  from  his  fluent  speech. 

All  the  men  who  sit  near  him  are  new  arrivals 
upon  America's  soil.  They  had  left  Spain  but  a 
few  months  before,  or  had  lived  until  then  on  the 
miserable  Antilles.  None  of  them  had  fought 
under  Cortez'  renowned  banner,  none  of  them 
had  seen  the  wonders  of  Peru,  none  had  a  clear 
Idea  of  the  true  splendor  and  astonishing  civili- 
zation which  America  concealed  in  her  interior. 
All  those  who  had  sailed  over  the  ocean  had  but 


WITH    IMZAllKO    IX    TKRU.  15 

a  vague  idea  of  the  luca  and  Pizarro's  lieioic 
deeds. 

At  that  time  there  were  no  books  in  which  th(^ 
history  of  Peru  coukl  be  learned  as  fully  as  at  the 
present  time,  and  the  jiress  which  spreads  the  news 
of  new  discoveries  to  the  most  distant  villages 
was  then  unknown.  The  printed  accounts  of  the 
great  discoveries  were  only  seen  by  a  few  scholars; 
the  great  masses  knew  merely  what  passed  from 
mouth  to  mouth,  and  gossip)  is  never  faithful, 
never  reliable ;  she  exaggerates  or  depreciates,  one 
can  never  trust  or  believe  her. 

But  here  at  the  camp-fire  sat  one  wdio,  if  he  could 
have  written,  could  have  left  the  truest  history  of 
the  conquest  of  Peru ;  one  who  had  been  present 
throughout  the  entire  campaign.  No  wonder, 
therefore,  that  on  this  night  the  ears  of  all  were 
attentive  to  Alcan's  words  and  their  eyes  fixed 
immovably  upon  him;  no  wonder  that  Amador 
listened  with  beating  heart  to  the  old  soldier's 
story,  that  he  passed  the  goblet  of  fiery  Spanish 
wine  on  to  his  neighbor  without  raising  it  to  his 
lips— he  was  carried  away  by  the  words  of  the 
narrator,  which  fired  his  soul. 

"  You  Avish  to  know  how  we  took  the  Tnca  Ata- 
hualpa  captive?"  said  Alcan.  "Good,  I  will  tell 
you." 


16  WITH   PIZARKO   liV   PERU. 

"  Imagine  a  city  as  large  as  Sevilla.  Into  this 
city,  Caxamarca  by  name,  we  marched.  Not  a 
soul  was  to  be  seen  in  it,  it  lay  there  as  if  dead, 
and  the  Inca  camped  with  his  army  many  thou- 
sand strong  before  it.  We  took  j)ossession  of  a 
palace  which  we  changed  into  a  fortress,  and  Pi- 
zarro  began  to  treat  with  the  Inca,  At  length  an 
interview  was  agreed  upon  to  take  place  in  the 
courtyard  of  the  palace.  We  knew  what  we  were 
to  do.  Would  the  heathen  recognize  the  dominion 
of  the  Spaniards  voluntarily?  No,  he  must  be 
taken  jprisoner.  AVe  divided  ourselves  among 
the  rooms  of  the  palace,  ready  for  fight,  and  were 
strictly  commanded  not  to  burst  out  until  we  heard 
the  cry  '  Santiago! '  and  the  thunder  of  firing. 

"I  stood  at  the  door,  and  through  the  crack  I 
could  see  what  went  on  outside.  The  Inca  left 
his  camp  at  the  head  of  a  regular  procession.  At 
both  sides  of  the  street  the  warriors  formed  a 
hedge,  and  about  three  hundred  gayly  dressed 
servants  carefully  removed  all  dust,  stones,  and 
blades  of  grass  from  the  road.  Then  came  divi 
sions  of  men  clad  in  red  and  white  checked  gar- 
ments, who  danced  the  merriest  dances  and  sang 
gay  songs.  If  they  had  but  known  to  what  feast 
they  went! 

"After  them  came  the  imperial  body-guard  with 


Willi     I'IZAIIUO    IX    VKKU.  17 

rich  gold  ornaments  and  splendid  feather  trap- 
pings, a  trooji  which  would  have  honored  even  a 
Christian  ruler.  In  their  nudst,  the  Inca  was 
borne  in  a  magnificent  arm-chair.  He  sat  on  a 
golden  chair,  his  feet  rested  on  a  huge  golden 
plate,  his  garments  were  fine  as  silk,  he  wore  a 
quantity  of  gold  ornaments  and  a  chain  of  spark- 
ling jewels,  while  on  his  head  was  a  red  woollen 
turban  with  a  tassel,  the  imperial  crown  of  the 
Inca.  High  dignitaries  followed  him,  and  five 
thousand  warriors  comjjleted  the  procession. 

"  AYe  burned  with  impatience,  for  the  procession 
advanced  at  a  snail's  pace,  and  to  our  astonish- 
ment the  Indians  prepared  to  camp  before  the  city. 
Then  Pizarro  requested  the  Inca  to  come  into  the 
city  before  sunset  and  dine  with  him  that  evening. 

"  He  consented,  and  to  prove  how  peaceably  dis- 
posed he  was,  he  commanded  his  soldiers  to  lay 
down  their  arms  before  the  city.  AVe  breathed 
more  freely,  for  this  made  our  victory  more  sure. 

"At  length  the  square  before  our  x^^^l^ce  was 
filled  with  unarmed  soldiers;  five  thousand  men 
stood  crowded  together  and  surrounded  their  em- 
peror with  a  living  wall.  Not  a  Spaniard  was  vis- 
ible, and  the  Inca  looked  about  him  in  astonish- 
ment. Then  our  priest,  Father  Valverde,  came  out, 
his  breviary  in  his  hand,  and  made  a  speech  to 


18  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

the  Inca,  telling  liim  that  the  Holy  Father  in  Rome 
had  given  these  lands  to  the  King  of  Spain,  and 
that  the  Inca  from  now  on  must  consider  himself 
the  vassal  of  Spain,  and  to  assure  the  safety  of 
his  soul  must  abjure  his  idols  and  accept  Chris- 
tianity. This  did  not  please  the  emperor^  for  he 
was  rude  enough  to  ask  who  gave  the  Spaniards 
such  power,  and  who  had  told  the  pope  that  the 
Christian  religion  was  the  only  true  belief.  The 
father  handed  him  the  Gospel  and  said:  'It  is 
written  in  this  holy  book.'  But  the  heathen  only 
glanced  at  the  pages,  and  threw  the  book  disre- 
spectfully to  the  ground,  while  he  answered  the 
father  roughly.  Then  I  heard  the  father  cry  out 
in  righteous  indignation :  '  The  Gospel  thrown  to 
the  ground :  revenge  this.  Christians,  revenge  this 
upon  these  heathen ! ' 

"And  at  this  exclamation  Pizarro  appeared,  ac- 
companied by  four  soldiers,  drew  his  sword,  and 
with  furious  blows  cut  his  way  through  to  the 
Inca,  seized  the  heathen  by  the  left  arm,  and  thun- 
dered out  our  war-cry,  '  Santiago ! '  And  as  if 
by  magic  the  scene  changed.  The  ringing  call  of 
trumpets,  the  discharge  of  muskets  and  cannon, 
shook  the  air ;  the  cavalry  burst  through  on  their 
horses  hung  with  bells,  and  hewed  down  the 
heathen;  the  infantry  followed  them. 


WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU.  19 

The  weaponless  Indians  could  protect  their  em- 
peror solely  by  crowding  between  him  and  the 
Spaniards,  so  that  only  after  a  fearful  massacre 
could  Pizarro  succeed  in  dragging  the  Inca  down 
from  his  chair.  Not  until  tliev  saw  their  leader 
fall,  did  the  other  Indians  take  to  Hight.  We  fol 
lowed  them  to  their  camp  before  the  city,  and  slew 
in  that  one  day  about  tw^o  thousand.  Atahualpa 
had  brought  thirty  thousand  warriors  with  him; 
we  numbered  but  one  hundred  and  eighty,  and  es 
caped  without  loss,  one  horse  only  being  slightly 
wounded." 

"  Oh !  "  cried  Amador  suddenly ;  "  but  they  were 
thirty  thousand  wretched  cowards.  I  imagined 
the  Peruvians  were  of  a  different  character." 

"  They  are  not  cowardly,"  replied  Alcan,  "  but 
they  obey  their  emperor  blindly,  and  as  he  com- 
manded them  ui)on  entering  the  city  not  to  attack 
the  Spaniards,  even  if  they  should  be  attacked, 
they  dared  not  raise  their  hands  against  us." 

"And  they  Avere  men?"  cried  Amador  in  aston- 
ishment.    "  Why,  they  were  mere  machines!  " 

"  Yes,  Peru  is  a  strange  land,"  continued  Alcan. 
"As  everything  about  it  seems  incomprehensible, 
just  so  remarkable  is  the  obedience  which  the  na- 
tives show  to  their  prince.  They  filled  a  huge 
room  with  gold  for  us  because  the  cajitive  com- 


20  WITH   PIZAERO   I^   PERU. 

manded  it.  Tliey  give  their  emperor  everything, 
their  gold,  their  property,  their  children,  them- 
selves even  if  he  desires  it." 

"That  must  be  a  condition  of  affairs  such  as 
exists  in  Turkey !  " 

"  Not  at  all!  I  believe  the  country  is  wealthier 
than  Spain.  It  has  large  cities,  well  built  for- 
tresses, it  has  high-roads— a  thousand  times  better 
than  ours  in  Spain;  inns  are  situated  along  the 
roads  for  travellers,  magnificent  storehouses  tilled 
with  grain,  and  supi)ly  stations  for  the  trooj)S. 
The  people  do  not  go  about  naked,  but  wear  finely 
woven  clothes ;  hunger  is  unknown  there,  so  abun- 
dant are  the  crops,  and  I  have  never  seen  a  beg- 
gar, for  every  one  must  work  for  the  state,  and 
receives  a  living  from  the  state.  The  temples 
are  magnificent,  the  palaces  of  the  princes  and  no- 
bles are  built  with  broad  halls,  they  have  pleasure 
gardens,  with  fountains,  surrounded  with  all  kinds 
of  figures  of  solid  gold  and  silver.  Ah,  there  no 
Spaniard  need  build  with  great  trouble  and  labor 
miserable  block  houses,  as  here  on  this  wretched 
isthmus  of  Panama ;  there  he  finds  a  warm  nest  all 
prepared,  in  which  he  need  only  sit  himself  down. 
He  also  finds  beautiful  princesses  there,  whom  he 
can  marry  Avhen  they  are  converted  to  Christianity, 
for  the  peoi)le  of  Peru  are  of  excellent  morals,  they 


WTTir    PIZAIMIO    TX    PKIiLi  21 

are  well  behiived  and  even  cultivated.  Such  arts 
as  reading  and  writing  are  indeed  unknown  there, 
but  these  are  not  necessary  for  ci\  ilization,  as  Peru 
best  proves  to  us.  It  is  a  rich,  a  blessed  country, 
and  whoever  says  that  there  is  nothing  more  to 
be  gotten  from  Peru,  that  we  have  already  plun- 
dered it  of  everything,  is  a  contemx^tible  liar.  Oh, 
there  is  yet  so  much  gold  hidden  in  Peru  that  we 
would  not  be  able  to  carry  it  away  if  we  had  it. 
But  we  will  soon  have  it,  for  gradually  the  Indi- 
ans betray  the  secret  cavities  in  which- they  have 
hidden  the  gold;  and  then  the  mountains  of 
Peru  are  full  of  it,  one  need  only  take  the  trouble 
to  melt  it.  And  how  much  else  does  the  land 
offer!  Everything  that  you  can  ask.  For  when 
you  stand  upon  the  coast,  with  one  glance  you  take 
in  all  the  zones  of  the  earth;  below,  the  tomd 
zone,  with  its  proud  palms  and  fragrant  flowers 
and  fruits ;  high  above,  i)erpetual  ice  and  snow  as 
at  the  north  pole,  and  in  between  all  the  hardy 
plants  of  the  temperate  zone.  Fields,  meadows, 
forests,  all  that  is  to  be  desired  does  one  find  there. 
And  the  best  of  all  is  that  one  need  not  work  him- 
self, for  the  natives  are  accustomed  from  early 
times  to  work,  and  are  willing  to  work  for  the 
Spaniards,  their  new  masters." 
By  such  sxDeeches,  Alcan  whiled  away  the  hours 


22  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PERU. 

of  the  night  for  his  comrades,  and  when  he  took 
leave  of  them  and  sought  his  bed,  Amador's 
thoughts  flew  over  the  wide  sea  to  that  fairy-land 
whose  wonders  seemed  inexhaustible  to  him. 
Yes,  what  were  the  Antilles,  this  wild  Darien,  and 
the  desolated  Mexico  to  this  land!  He  had  jour- 
neyed so  far  already,  why  should  he  not  i^ush  on 
further?  He  fell  asleep,  and  in  dreams  he  wan- 
dered through  dazzling  palaces,  through  magnifi- 
cent gardens:  saw  armed  warriors,  gold-shod 
horses,  and  lovely  brown  i^rincesses  with  rare  dia- 
monds in  their  raven-black  hair.  How  disap- 
X)ointed  he  was  when  he  awoke,  and  in  the  gray 
dawn  discovered  the  gloomy  forest,  and  overhead 
a  dull  gray  sky  covered  with  cold,  Avet  fog! 

Silently  he  rode  his  chestnut  horse  this  day, 
and  when  toward  noon,  from  the  top  of  the  range, 
he  had  a  view  over  the  wide  green  wilderness,  and 
in  the  far  distance  the  shimmer  of  the  smooth  sur- 
face of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  a  deep  longing  filled  his 
heart,  and  his  heated  imagination  conjured  up 
mountains  covered  with  glittering  snow  along  the 
edge  of  the  horizon,  shady  groves  at  their  feet, 
and  concealed  among  them  magic  castles  with 
brown  knights  and  ladies. 

Alcan  rode  near  the  young  man.  Oh,  he  had 
already  perceived  that  his  tales  had  kindled  the 


WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU.  23 

young  heart ;  he  spoke  to  him,  he  continued  his 
fascinating  accounts,  and  under  the  influence  of 
the  bearded  soldier  Amador's  will  grew  soft  as 
wax.     He  let  himself  be  influenced,  guided. 

On  the  next  day  he  rode  the  horse,  but  he  wore 
a  shining  new  armor,  which  Alcan  had  given  him 
as  recruiting  money,  from  his  supplies.  The 
young  man's  heart  beat  stormily  against  the  hard 
mail,  and  he  raised  his  head  proudly.  Yes,  he 
was  a  brave  cavalryman,  out  and  out  a  cavalry- 
man, and  said  as  much  to  Alcan. 

"And  for  how  long?    Until  we  reach  Panama? " 

"  Oh,  no,  Captain  Alcan,  to  the  end  of  the  world 
if  you  will ;  to  the  cool,  quiet  grave !  "  cried  young 
Amador  enthusiastically. 

Proudh'  he  rode  into  Panama  on  his  tall  charger, 
greeted  his  relatives  hastily  and  sux)erficially,  and 
embarked  upon  the  ship  lying  in  wait,  to  sail  for 
the  south — as  Pizarro's  soldier. 


II. 


How  beautiful  is  tlie  dream,  how  hard  and  cruel 
the  reality!  The  youth  dreams,  and  through  his 
disappointments  matures  to  a  man.  It  was  so 
with  Amador  in  Peru.  He  had  dreamed  of  a  Para- 
dise, and  he  awoke  in  hell ;  for  a  gloomy,  blood- 
stained hell,  iilled  with  the  screams  of  unfortunate 
people,  was  lovely  Peru  at  that  time.  A  true  tor- 
ture chamber,  for  here  white  devils  in  the  form  of 
men  tortured  a  poor  innocent  people. 

Amador  de  Calabrera  was  the  younger  son  of 
a  poor  but  proud  Spanish  nobleman.  The  small 
property  would  barely  suffice  for  his  elder  broth- 
ers, and  so  he  had  left  his  home  to  seek  his  for- 
tune in  the  New  World.  The  wildest  rumors  of 
the  wealth  of  this  gold  land,  this  Peru,  reached 
the  old  country,  and  to  these  rumors  had  in  Ama- 
dor's case  been  added  old  Alcan's  vivid  descrip- 
tions, his  exciting  stories.  Amador  had  fancied 
a  life  of  the  wildest  adventure  would  be  his  in 
Peru,  a  life  of  bold,  brave  deeds,  and  that  a  large 


WITH   PIZAIUK)    IX   PKRIL  25 

fortune  would  be  easily  acquired.  The  dark  side 
of  this  life  had  not  been  presented  to  him;  he 
had,  in  fact,  no  idea  that  there  was  a  dark  side. 
Never  had  he  dreamed  of  the  cruelty,the  treachery, 
practised  upon  this  unfortunate  Indian  people. 

It  was  some  months  before  he  learned  of  the 
treacherous  manner  in  w  liich  the  Inca  Atahualpa 
had  been  put  to  death.  After  having  collected 
from  his  people  the  enormous  ransom  demanded, 
a  sum  almost  equivalent  to  fifteen  millions  of  dol- 
lars, this  unfortunate  Inca  had  nevertheless  been 
detained  prisoner  upon  one  pretext  and  another, 
only  finally  to  be  put  to  death. 

And  yet  there  was  pei-haps  retributive  justice 
in  this  act,  justice  ignorantly  rendered  through 
Spanish  hands,  for  this  Atahualpa  was  but  an 
usurper.  His  father's  favorite,  he  had  taken  the 
place  rightly  belonging  to  his  half  brother,  Huas- 
car,  and  had,  even  while  a  x>risoner,  caused  his 
murder. 

When  Amador  arrived  in  Cuzco,  with  Alcan's 
little  band  Atahualpa's  successor  and  brother 
had  been  dead  for  several  years,  and  Manco, 
the  lawful  Inca,  reigned,  if  reign  it  could  be 
called.  The  subjugated  ruler  had,  however,  made 
one  desperate  attempt  to  free  his  people  from 
the  hated   Spanish  yoke,  and,  leaving  some  of 


26  WITH  PIZARRO  IN  PERU, 

the  highest  Per  avian  dignitaries,  among  them  his 
favorite  sister  Aclia,  to  serve  as  a  blind  to  his 
real  intentions,  he  had  left  Cuzco.  Once  outside 
the  city,  his  purj)oses  had  become  only  too  evident. 
He  had  excited  his  i)eoj)le  to  revolt,  and  many  and 
fierce  had  been  the  conflicts.  At  length,  however, 
he  had  been  driven  back  gradually,  and  had  now- 
taken  refuge  in  a  rocky  mountainous  region,  prac- 
tically inaccessible,  and  the  Spaniards  were  for 
the  time  baffled. 

Added  to  these  Indian  troubles  was  a  fresh 
horror;  the  conquerors  attacked  each  other.  The 
long-standing  feud  between  Almagro  and  Pizarro 
had  burst  out  afresh.  They  were  rivals  in  every 
sense  of  the  word,  and  for  a  time  a  fierce  civil  w^ar 
raged  in  the  young  colony.  This  lasted  for  sev- 
eral years,  but  finally  seemed  to  be  subdued ;  then 
in  the  year  1538  Pizarro  obtained  the  upper  hand, 
and  ordered  Almagro's  execution.  This  bold  act 
did  for  a  brief  space  check  the  civil  conflict,  but 
the  feeling  of  rage  and  longing  for  vengeance 
smouldered  in  the  hearts  of  all  the  former  follow- 
ers of  Almagro,  who  had  been  idolized  by  these 
followers  on  account  of  his  generous  lavish  nature. 

During  all  this  time  the  new  Indian  ruler,  Inca 
Manco,  had  not  been  inactive  in  his  rocky  fortress. 
Headed  by  one  or  another  brave  young  Indian 


WITH   PIZAllUO   IX   PERU.  97 

warrior,  small  detaclinients  of  natives  had  swooped 
down  like  eagles  from  their  lofty  eyries  upon  the 
small  Spanish  settlements,  and  had  often  effected 
a  decisive  victory,  as  their  attacks  were  sudden  and 
unsuspected. 

Having  disposed  once  and  for  all  of  his  rival 
Almagro,  Pizarro  now  resolved  to  conquer  Inca 
Manco.  He  fancied  that  when  once  the  Spaniards' 
thoughts  were  fully  occupied  with  their  Indian 
enemies,  the  party  strife  would  cease,  and  Alma- 
gro's  friends  become  reconciled  to  his  rule.  How 
greatly  he  deceived  himself  in  this,  remains  to  be 
shown,  A  campaign  in  the  impassable  ravines  of 
the  Andes  was  not  to  be  thought  of;  the  eagle  w^as 
secure  from  attack  in  his  lofty  eyrie.  PizaiTO, 
therefore,  resolved  to  render  him  harmless  in  an- 
other way.  Upon  the  plateaus  of  Peru  near  the 
enemy,  he  founded  a  line  of  military  settlements. 
The  Spaniards  who  removed  to  them  were  to  carry 
on  farming,  but  be  always  ready  for  battle.  They 
lived  in  forts  and  av ell-fortified  villages,  ready 
at  any  moment  to  go  out  to  battle  should  the 
enemy  draw  near. 

This  plan  of  Pizarro  proved  successful ;  war  with 
the  troops  of  Inca  Manco  was  confined  solely  to 
the  plateaus  now,  and  here  too  the  Spanish  science 
of  war  was  so  superior  to   the   Indian  methods 


28  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PEEt:. 

tliat  tlie  natives  attacked  the  settlements  less  and 
less  frequently,  and  cooled  tlieir  revenge  solely 
by  attacking  little  detachments  of  Spaniards  trav- 
elling through  the  mountain  passes. 

Such  were  the  troubled  times  when  Amador  de 
Calabrera  arrived  in  Peru.  As  has  been  said,  the 
son  of  a  proud  but  penniless  grandee,  Amador  had 
come  to  the  New  AVorld  to  seek  his  fortune,  but 
it  seemed  scarcely  probable  that  he  w^ould  make 
it  here  in  this  wealthy  country  of  the  Incas.  The 
methods  practised  by  his  companions  in  arms 
were  abhorrent  to  him.  The  greater  part  of  these 
did  not  hesitate  to  extort  gold,  silver  or  pearls 
from  the  Indians  by  any  m.eans,  fair  or  foul,  or 
even  openly  to  rob  and  plunder.  Few  of  the 
more  distinguished  Indians,  the  dignitaries  of  the 
land,  remained  in  the  part  of  the  country  inhab- 
ited by  the  Spaniards,  these  few  being  those  who 
had  remidned  upon  Inca  Manco's  orders,  when  he 
left  Cuzco.  Among  these  the  Princess  Aclia  was 
the  most  interesting.  Several  times  had  she  tried 
to  escape  and  join  her  brother;  once  her  effort 
had  almost  succeeded. 

This  was  just  before  Amador's  arrival  in  the 
city  of  Cuzco. 

Amador  had  been  greatly  struck  with  the  mag- 
nificence of  this  city,  and  as  his  time  was  almost 


WITH   PIZAKRO    IN'    PFAIV.  29 

entirely  his  own,  he  spent  the  greater  part  of  the 
day  in  wandering  about  and  exploring-  it.  He 
was  often  accomx)anied  iqoon  these  walks  by  an- 
other young  Spaniard,  Leon  de  Gamba  by  name. 

The  latter  having  been  in  the  city  for  nearly 
two  years,  was  Avell  acquainted  with  it,  and  he  it 
was  who  pointed  out  to  Calabrera  some  of  the 
wonders.  He  called  his  attention  to  the  solid 
beds  of  masonry  over  which  the  two  streams  which 
sujiplied  the  city  with  water  flowed  for  some  dis- 
tance before  reaching  this  city.  The  masonry 
beds  kept  the  water  always  clear  and  clean.  To 
Amador's  astonishment  he  found  that  almost  all 
the  houses  were  built  of  stone,  and  stones  of  im- 
mense size,  which  were  fastened  together  with  ce- 
ment in  such  a  masterly  fashion  that  the  buildings 
seemed  almost  as  if  made  of  a  single  stone. 

The  great  Tem^^le  of  the  Sun,  although  it  had 
been  robbed  of  its  chief  splendors,  was  still  re- 
markable, and  Leon  supplied  the  missing  golden 
statues  and  images  by  vivid  descriptions  of  their 
magnificence  and  costliness.  Many  of  the  paint- 
ings were  still  uninjured. 

But  Amador's  new  acquaintance  enlightened 
him  in  other  ways.  He  it  was  who  told  him  of 
the  scenes  which  had  been  enacted  in  this  city; 
and  of  the  dark  deeds  concerning  which  Alcan 


30  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

liad  been  so  silent  when  lie  talked  to  Amador  dur- 
ing their  night  camping  on  the  isthmus,  or  the 
long  journey  to  Peru. 

And  it  was  Leon  de  Gamba  who  described  to  him 
the  charms  of  Princess  Aclia,  whom  he  declared 
to  be  the  most  beautiful  maiden  he  had  ever  set 
eyes  ux)on.  He  told  Amador  of  the  repeated  at- 
tempts made  by  her,  with  others  of  the  Indian 
nobles,  to  escajoe. 

"About  two  weeks  before  you  arrived  here, 
sehor,"  said  he  one  day,  as  they  stood  in  the  great 
Temple  of  the  Sun,  wondering  and  admiring,  "  she 
made  another  desperate  attempt  to  escape,  and  in 
fact  almost  succeeded,  Accomx^anied  only  by  an- 
other Indian  girl,  and  a  young  chief  who  was  to 
act  as  guide,  she  succeeded  in  getting  outside  of 
the  city,  and  had  gone  some  distance  into  the 
country,  when  they  were  met  by  a  little  band  of 
Spanish  soldiers,  of  whom  I  was  one.  We  had 
been  out  on  a  little  hunting  expedition.  Now 
three  Indians  strolling  leisurely  along,  as  did  these 
as  soon  as  they  perceived  us,  are  no  unusual  sight, 
and  I  doubt  if  we  should  have  troubled  ourselves 
further  concerning  them,  had  not  I  caught  a 
glimpse  of  the  beautiful  Aclia's  face.  That  one 
glimpse  was  sufficient;  I  knew  that  that  beautiful 
face  was  none  other  than  that  of  our  fair  captive 


WITH    nZARliO    IN   PERU.  31 

princess.  Resistance  on  tlieir  part  was  of  course 
useless;  we  simply  brought  them  back  to  the  city, 
and  the  lovely  Aclia  is  kept  under  a  much  more 
strict  watch  than  before." 

"  Why  does  not  Pizarro  allow  her  to  join  her 
brother?  Of  what  use  can  two  or  three  Indian 
girls  be  to  his  plans?  has  he  not  some  of  the  high- 
est dignitaries  detained  here  as  hostages  ?"  asked 
Amador  impatiently,  for  he  felt  a  great  sympathy 
for  this  beautiful  Indian  whom  he  had  never  seen." 

"Why,  my  dear  countryman,  Pizarro  hopes 
great  things  from  the  detention  of  this  one  girl. 
Have  you  not  been  told  that  she  is  the  Inca's  fav- 
orite sister?  They  say  the  devotion  of  the  two  is 
remarkable.  Pizarro  really  thinks  that  Inca 
Manco  may  yet  be  brought  to  surrender  and  sul> 
mit  to  Spanish  authority  through  fear  that  evil 
may  befall  the  fair  Aclia  here  at  the  hands  of  his 
enemies.  But  do  not  fancy  that  these  captives' 
lot  is  such  a  hard  one.  They  are  well  treated. 
Spacious  rooms  in  one  of  the  palaces  have  been 
assigned  them,  tliej^  are  made  comfortal)le,  and 
as  for  Aclia  herself,  she  would  not  be  more  waited 
upon  were  she  at  her  brother's  court.  The  other 
Indian  maidens  serve  her  as  attendants,  maids  of 
honor  as  it  were,  and  obey  her  slightest  com- 
mand.     It  is  remarkable,    the    abject   devotion 


32  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PEKU. 

of  these  Peruvians  to  their  Inca  and  the  royal 
family," 

"  Yon  have  made  me  quite  curious  to  see  this 
princess,"  said  Amador.  "  How  is  it  possible  to 
catch  a  glimj^se  of  her? " 

"Oh,  you  have  but  to  keep  your  eyes  open, 
and  when  you  see  an  Indian  maiden,  tall,  slight, 
and  beautiful  as  a  dream,  you  may  know  it  is  she. 
She  is  not  confined  to  her  palace,  she  walks  about 
the  streets.  Besides,  she  will  soon  be  baj)tized,  I 
understand,  and  the  ceremony  will  be  a  public 
one." 

"Has  she  been  converted  to  Christianity?" 
asked  Amador  in  surprise. 

"Converted?  H'm,  I  do  not  know  about  that, 
but  it  is  certain  she  will  be  bajjtized,  together  with 
her  retinue.  We  do  not  inquire  too  closely  into 
the  belief  of  these  natives ;  they  are  baptized  i^er- 
force." 

It  was  several  days  after  this  conversation  that 
the  rite  of  baptism  was  administered  to  Aclia,  to- 
gether with  several  other  Indian  maidens,  in  the 
little  Catholic  church,  which  building  had  for- 
merly been  a  temple  of  one  of  the  lesser  deities  of 
the  Peruvians,  and  it  was  at  this  ceremony  that 
Amador  lirst  saw  the  fair-young  princess.  The 
church  was  filled  with  spectators,  chiefly  Span- 


WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU.  33 

iards,  altliongh  Indians  were  not  lacking,  for  any- 
thing to  interrupt  the  monotony  of  everyday 
life  in  Ciizco  was  welcome.  Of  the  other  Indian 
maidens,  some  were  reluctant  to  be  bajjtized, 
others  merely  indifferent ;  l)ut  the  princess  seemed 
an  exception. 

The  officiating  priest  was  not  the  wily  Valverde, 
who  so  willingly  lent  himself  to  the  treachery  and 
deceit  practised  upon  the  unfortunate  Indians  ])y 
Pizarro  and  his  soldiers,  but  a  mild-featured, 
kindly  old  man,  Father  Felipo  by  name.  His 
was  no  warlike  nature.  The  sufferings  and  perse- 
cutions of  the  Indians  saddened  him  beyond  meas- 
ure. He  had  come  to  the  New  World,  his  heart 
filled  with  the  ho^ie  of  converting  large  numbers 
of  these  unfortunates,  and  of  bnptizing  them,  not 
by  force,  but  at  their  own  expressed  desire.  His 
ambition,  though  so  different  and  so  much  nobler, 
was  as  ardent  as  that  of  any  soldier  or  adventurer 
in  Pizarro's  band;  but  how  had  his  liojies  been 
crushed,  his  plans  frustrated!  What  hope  of  suc- 
cess was  his,  in  preaching  to  this  tormented  people 
of  the  God  of  love,  of  kindness  and  mercy,  who 
was  yet  the  God  whom  these  cruel  Spaniards,  their 
oppressors,  professed  to  Avorship? 

He  had  done  his  duty  to  the  best  of  his  ability; 

he  had,  though  an  old  man,  struggled  with  the 
3 


34  WITH   PIZAERO   IN  PER 

diflBcult  Indian  language,  that  lie  might  speak  to 
these  poor  beings  in  their  own  tongue,  but  his 
efforts  seemed  fruitless.  He  was  listened  to  by 
the  Indians  with  stolid  indifference,  wild  mock- 
ery, or  suppressed  fury.  The  Spanish  soldiers, 
whom  he  exhorted  to  live  after  the  commands 
of  the  Divine  gosi)el,  paid  little  heed  to  him; 
even  his  fellow-j^riest  Valverde  treated  him  with 
ill-disguised  contempt,  after  having  one  day 
tried  in  a  long  argument  to  persuade  him  that 
these  Indians  did  not  come  under  the  head  of  fel- 
low-men, that  it  was  lawful  and  right  to  plunder 
and  even  torture  them  for  the  good  of  the  Span- 
ish nation,  since  these  Indians  were  but  heathen 
and  heretics  who  would  not  acknowledge  the 
power  of  the  only  true  church. 

When,  however,  the  Indian  princess  Aclia  was 
pointed  out  to  Mm,  and  she  was  mentioned  as 
one  of  those  to  be  baptized,  some  faint  glow  of  his 
old  hopes  seemed  to  flicker  in  his  heart.  Could 
he  but  bring  her  to  believe  in  the  true  God,  what 
influence  might  she  not  have  over  her  people! 
Looked  up  to  as  she  was,  as  the  daughter  of  a 
powerful  Inca  and  the  favorite  sister  of  the  pres- 
ent emperor,  her  influence  might  be  great  indeed. 
And  this  was  not  all.  Her  face  betokened  an  un- 
usual amount  of  intelligence,  together  with  a  gen- 


WITH   PIZARRO    IN^   VYAIV.  35 

tleness  of  expression.  The  old  priest  had  niiiny 
long  talks  with  her.  She  seemed  interested  in  his 
words  from  the  first.  She  did  not  treat  liim  with 
the  stolid  indifference  displayed  by  her  compan- 
ions. She  listened  intently  to  his  arguments,  to 
his  simple  accounts  of  the  belief  so  dear  to  him. 

AVhen  finally  the  appointed  day  of  the  baptism 
arrived,  although  Aclia  could  hardly  be  said  to 
desire  to  receive  this  sacrament,  yet  she  certainly 
seemed  willing,  and  Father  Felipo's  hopes  had 
risen. 

Upon  this  day,  as  she  stood  with  her  compan- 
ions before  the  font,  in  the  little  chapel,  Amador 
thought  he  had  never,  even  among  the  far-famed 
beauties  of  Castile,  his  native  country,  seen  any 
to  compare  with  her.  Her  white  robe,  simple,  and 
in  the  fashion  of  her  people,  fell  in  classic  folds 
around  a  slender,  graceful  form.  Her  clear  olive 
skin  was  smooth  as  polished  ivory,  and  her  cheeks 
tinged  with  a  faint  Hush  of  excitement.  Her  eyes, 
large,  dark,  and  lustrous,  shaded  by  long,  curling 
lashes,  were  raised  with  a  look  of  awe  to  the  old 
l^riest  before  her,  while  her  slender,  beautiful 
hands  were  clasped  on  hei*  bosom. 

More  than  one  Spaniard  gazed  at  her  in  admira- 
tion, but  she  seemed  conscious  of  none  of  these 
bold  glances.     As  for  Amador,  he  could  not  take 


36  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

his  eyes  from  her.  The  young  fellow,  who  had 
been  voted  cold  and  unimpressionable  by  the 
young  Castilian  maidens  of  his  home,  was  be- 
witched, fascinated  by  the  first  sight  of  a  young 
Indian  who  had  never  seen  him,  and  whom  he 
might  never  address. 

The  ceremony  at  an  end,  she  and  her  companions 
left  the  chapel  by  a  side  door.  They  were  treated 
Avith  great  resjject,  and  had  as  yet  nothing  to  com- 
plain of  except  their  lack  of  freedom.  Amador 
too  left  the  building,  but  he  walked  as  if  in  a 
dream  among  his  soldier  comrades,  and  gave  such 
dazed  rei:)lies  to  their  questions  that,  after  joking 
him  about  his  absent-mindedness,  they  finally 
left  him  alone. 

Some  days  elapsed,  and  he  had  not  seen  the 
princess  again.  He  had  learned  where  her  palace 
was  situated,  and  spent  many  an  hour  strolling 
around  it,  but,  even  so,  he  caught  not  so  much  as 
a  glimi)se  of  her.  But  he  was  destined  to  make 
her  acquaintance  in  a  most  unexpected  manner. 

Amador  de  Calabrera  had  been  greatly  attracted 
to  the  priest,  Father  Felipo.  His  mild,  gentle  face 
and  winning  smile  had  drawn  the  young  man  to 
him,  and  gradually  a  warm  friendship  had  sprung 
up  between  the  two.  Amador  felt  more  and  more 
isolated  among  the  SxDaniards,  his  companions  in 


WITH   PIZAiniO   IN   PERU,  37 

amis.  The  talkative  de  Gamba  liad  gone  to  a  dis- 
tant Spanish  settlement,  and  among  the  others 
there  was  none  with  whom  Amador  cared  to  be- 
come friends  excej^t  in  the  barest  sense  of  tlie 
word.  Time,  as  has  been  said,  hung  heavily  on 
the  hands  of  most  of  the  Spaniards  in  Cnzco  at 
that  time.  There  had  been  no  battles  with  the 
Indians  for  some  weeks,  and  a  few  even  fancied 
that  the  trouble  was  at  an  end,  and  Inca  Manco's 
surrender  now  a  question  of  days  only.  He  had 
explored  the  city  quite  thoroughly,  and,  being 
young  and  of  a  social  disposition,  tired  of  his 
solitary  walks,  and  was  glad  to  avail  himself  of 
Father  Felipo's  society. 

The  two  hadjiiany  long  talks  together,  but  the 
princess'  name  was  seldom  mentioned  between 
them,  and  this  was  due  chiefly  to  Amador  himself. 
The  old  i)riest  and  Inez,  as  Aclia  was  now  called, 
this  being  the  name  given  her  in  baptism,  were 
great  friends,  and  many  were  the  long  talks  they 
had  together.  The  young  Indian  felt  a  great  love 
for  the  kindly  old  man,  although  he  was  a  coun- 
tryman of  the  enemies  and  oppressors  of  her 
people.  She  became  deeply  interested  in  the 
Christian  religion,  for  her  own  was  not  of  such  a 
totally  unreconcilable  nature  to  it.  The  day  at 
length  arrived  when  Father  Felipo  could  rejoice 


38  WITH   PIZAREO   IN   PERU. 

that  the  fair  maiden  was  in  reality,  as  well  as  ap- 
pearance, a  member  of  his  church.  He  had  con- 
fided many  of  his  hopes  to  Amador,  for  the  priest's 
position  in  Cuzco  was  somewhat  similar  to  the 
young  soldier's.  Both  felt  themselves  isolated 
from  their  other  countrymen,  whose  aims  were  so 
different  from  theirs,  and  this  feeling  had  helped 
to  draw  them  nearer  together  than  might  have 
otherwise  been  the  case.  It  was  to  Amador  that 
che  old  priest  poured  out  his  thankful  joy  when 
he  knew  that  his  efforts  had  been  crowned  with 
success,  his  i)rayers  granted,  and  the  princess  was 
indeed  a  Christian.  He  hoped  much  from  her  in- 
fluence over  her  people.  Amador  listened  to  him 
attentively ;  his  calmness  was  indeed  only  feigned, 
and  lie  delighted  to  hear  everything  the  priest 
told  him  about  his  unknown  inamorata ;  but  he 
never  questioned  the  father  about  her  except  in 
the  most  casual  manner,  and  his  behavior  was 
such  that  the  priest  never  suspected  that  he  felt 
anything  but  the  most  careless  interest  in  his 
fair  'protegee. 

Meanwhile,  Inez,  as  well  as  several  other  high- 
born Indian  maidens,  had  expressed  a  desire  to 
learn  the  Spanish  language.  Whether  in  most 
cases  from  mere  lack  of  occupation,  or  because 
they  were  not  insensible  to  the  admiration  of  some 


WITn   PTZAKF.O   m   PERTT.  89 

of  tlie  young  Si)ani8li  soldiers,  wlio  could  carry  on 
no  conversation  with  them  except  by  their  looks 
and  glances,  being  as  ignprant  of  the  Peruvian  as 
the  fair  Indians  were  of  the  Spanish  language, 
need  not  be  inquired  into.  In  Inez'  case  it  was  a 
thirst  for  knowledge,  perliai)s  mingled  with  curi- 
osity. 

Inez  communicated  her  and  her  companions' 
desire  to  her  friend  tlie  priest.  He  encouraged 
her  in  her  wish,  and  offered  to  secure  a  teacher. 
His  choice  fell  upon  Amador. 

Need  it  be  said  that  Amador  accepted  this  posi- 
tion most  joyfully?  It  was  hard  for  him  to  con- 
ceal Ills  delight  from  the  unsuspecting  father. 
Would  he  not  now  meet  the  fair  maiden  upon 
whom  his  thoughts  had  dwelt  so  continually  since 
that  day  in  the  church?  Meet  her  face  to  face, 
speak  to  her,  perhaps  even  press  her  hand,  as  he 
listened  to  her  replies  in  a  soft,  musical  voice,  for 
surely  no  other  could  belong  to  such  a  lovely  be- 
ing? His  impatience  was  such  that  the  hours 
which  must  elapse  before  the  first  lesson,  fixed 
for  the  following  afternoon,  seemed  interminable. 

Father  Felipo's  choice  of  Amador  as  tutor  of 
the  Spanish  language  excited  no  envy  among  his 
comrades.  They  had  not  come  to  the  New  World 
to  give  lessons  in  Sjianish ;  that  could  have  been 


40  WITH   PIZAEKO   IlSr  PERU. 

done  at  home.  Tliey  had  come  for  gold.  No  lit- 
tle ridicule  fell  to  Amador's  share  when  his  new 
occupation  becamp  generally  known,  but  he  cared 
little  for  this. 

The  lessons  became  a  source  of  pleasure  to  both 
teacher  and  pupils.  At  the  first  lesson,  so  nerv- 
ous was  he  when  actually  brought  into  the  pres- 
ence of  the  object  of  his  dreams,  that  it  was  only 
with  a  great  effort  that  he  controlled  himself  suffi- 
ciently to  appear  tolerably  calm  and  get  through 
the  lesson.  But  in  time  this  nervousness  left  him. 
Close  acquaintance,  however,  but  added  fuel  to 
the  flame  of  his  love  for  Inez,  for  into  love  had  his 
imaginative  infatuation  ripened.  Inez,  too,  soon 
came  to  look  forward  to  the  lessons.  Bright  and 
unusually  quick,  she  acquired  the  new  language 
with  astonishing  ease,  and  learned  to  read  it  in  an 
incredibly  short  time.  Amador  had  attended  the 
famous  university  of  Salamanca,  and  his  mind  was 
well  stored  with  the  treasures  of  his  own  and  other 
ancient  literatures.  Many  were  the  talks  which 
Inez  and  Amador  had  together,  long  after  the  les- 
sons were  at  an  end,  the  other  girls  sometimes 
present  listening  in  evident  surprise,  and  won- 
dering what  these  two  found  so  interesting  in  such 
subjects.  Inez  told  Amador  of  her  jDeoi^le  and 
their  history  and  customs,  while  Amador  gave 


WITH    PIZAIIRO    IN    PERTT.  41 

vivid  descriptions  of  the  Old  ^Vo^ld  wonders. 
Sometimes  they  talked  of  the  ancients,  the  Greeks 
and  Romans,  and  Inez  listened  eagerly  to  his  ac- 
counts of  these  wonderful  nations,  their  civiliza- 
tion, their  works  of  art,  their  literature.  Fre- 
quently he  would  recite  some  fragments  of  the 
old  poets,  pointing  out  to  her  the  beauties  of  the 
verse.  But  this  delightful  intercourse  was  rudely 
checked.  Many  of  the  Spaniards  had  married  In- 
dian maidens,  and  Amador  had  hoped  in  time  to 
win  Aclia  for  his  wife,  but  this  hope  was  frustrated 
by  none  other  than  Pizarro  himself.  How  he 
learned  of  Amador's  infatuation  it  is  impossible 
to  say,  for  the  latter  fancied  that  none  of  his  com- 
rades even  suspected  it.  No  words  of  love  had 
ever  been  exchanged  between  Inez- Aclia  and 
himself,  and  the  whole  woi'ld  might  have  been 
present  at  their  interviews,  so  wholly  frank  and 
unl overlike  were  their  conversations.  How  Pi- 
zarro had  learned  the  secret  of  his  heart  Amador 
therefore  could  not  imagine ;  possibly  indeed  he 
only  guessed  it  and  scented  mischief.  Be  that  as 
it  may,  the  young  man  was  one  day  summoned 
to  the  viceroy's  presence,  immediately  after  his 
return  from  one  of  these  lessons  which  had  be- 
come so  necessary  to  his  happiness. 

Having  rei:)aired  to  the  viceroy's  jialace,  he  was 


42  WITH   PiZAERO  IN  PERU. 

at  once  usliered  into  Pizarro's  presence.  He  was 
received  most  cordially  by  the  conqueror,  and 
the  conversation,  at  first  general,  might  have  mis- 
led any  stranger  present  to  fancy  this  a  mere  de- 
sire on  the  part  of  the  viceroy  to  have  a  x^leasant 
chat  with  so  talented  and  agreeable  a  young  fel- 
low as  his  officer  Amador  de  Calabrera.  But  grad- 
ually the  conversation  was  led  to  the  young  man 
himself,  his  ambition,  wishes,  etc.,  and  being 
closely  questioned,  still  in  the  same  j)leasant,  half 
careless  fashion,  he  finally  revealed  his  hopes  and 
ended  by  declaring  that  he  asked  nothing  more 
of  fortune  than  to  win  the  Indian  maiden  Aclia 
for  his  bride.  But  these  hopes  were  ruthlessly 
shattered  by  the  blunt  soldier.  Inez  or  Aclia  was 
his  prisoner,  held  as  hostage,  and  through  her  he 
hoped  to  bring  the  proud  Inca  Manco  to  surrender. 
Marriage  with  her  now  was  out  of  the  question. 
Later,  when  times  became  more  peaceable,  when 
the  Inca  was  once  brought  into  subjection,  all 
might  be  different,  but  at  present  any  such  plans 
must  be  nipped  in  the  bud.  All  arguments  and 
protestations  on  the  young  man's  part  were  si- 
lenced peremi^torily,  though  not  without  a  cer- 
tain gruff  good-nature,  by  Pizarro,  for  the  viceroy 
had  no  wish  to  win  the  young  soldier's  dislike. 
Any  brave,  educated  man,  such  as  Amador,  was 


WITH    PIZARRO    IN   PERU.  43 

valuable  to  liim  in  these  days  of  mutiny  and  re- 
volt; but  the  end  of  the  matter  was  tjiat  the  very 
next  day  xVmador  received  orders  to  set  out  at 
once  for  a  certain  military  station  in  the  province 
of  Iluamanca,  under  pretext  that  his  talents  had 
too  long  remained  unappreciated  in  the  over-filled 
city;  here  a  place  was  offered  him  where  he  might 
have  a  chance  to  make  a  name  for  himself  in  a 
less  crowded  field. 

Amador  guessed  only  too  readily  the  reason  of 
these  sudden  orders,  but  could  do  nothing  but 
obey  them.  He  gave  his  last  Spanish  lesson,  ex- 
plaining to  his  pupils  that  he  had  been  sent  away 
to  fill  a  more  important  post,  and  his  lessons  must 
cease.  Almost  all  of  them  expressed  regret,  for 
he  had  won  their  liking  bj'liis  pleasant,  courteous 
ways  and  handsome  face,  but  Inez  was  no  louder 
in  her  expression  of  regret  than  her  companions. 
There  was  no  time  for  long  talks.  -It  was  Inez  whose 
hand  he  took  last,  and  jn'essing  it  raised  it  to  his 
lips,  murmuring  a  few  broken  words  of  regret, 
with  hopes  that  they  might  meet  again.  One 
long,  speaking  glance,  and  she  and  the  others 
were  gone,  and  Amador  made  his  hasty  x>i'epara- 
tions  for  departure. 

Father  Felipo  expressed  great  sorrow  at  parting 
from  Amador.     The  good  old  man  looked  feeble 


44  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

and  ill.  The  strange  climate  and  his  hard  work — 
for  he  was  tireless  in  his  efforts,  and  many  were 
the  sick  he  visited — together  with  his  scanty  suc- 
cess, were  beginning  to  tell  on  his  strength.  He 
was  no  longer  what  he  once  was,  he  told  Amador; 
he  was  a  broken-down  old  man.  In  vain  did  the 
young  Spaniard  try  to  cheer  him,  and  hope  that 
they  should  soon  meet  again ;  the  old  priest  shook 
his  head  sadly  and  gave  Amador  his  blessing  in 
a  faltering  voice. 

Altogether  it  was  with  a  sorrowful  heart  that 
Amador  set  out  with  three  or  four  other  Spaniards 
and  several  Indians  for  the  distant  settlement 
whither  he  had  been  ordered. 

They  had  heard  vague  rumors  of  Indian  revolts, 
but  met  with  no  opi^osition  on  their  long  march 
through  a  desolate  part  of  the  country,  and  finally 
arrived  safely  at  their  destination. 

This  military  settlement  in  the  j^rovince  of  IIu- 
amanca,  whither  he  was  ordered,  was  one  of  the 
first  and  most  important  of  those  formed  by  Pi- 
zarro.  An  enviable  prosperity  had  always  pre- 
vailed among  the  Peruvians  in  this  part  of  the 
country.  The  working  of  the  gold  and  silver 
mines  which  were  abundant  in  this  neighborhood 
had  indeed  been  rendered  difficult  owing  to  lack  of 
fuel  at  a  convenient  distance,  for  the  mines  were  at 


WITH    PIZAIIRO    IN    PERU.  45 

a  considerable  distance  from  the  wooded  moun- 
tains. But  the  soil  here  was  very  fertile,  and  ex- 
cellently adapted  to  the  culture  of  the  coca  plant, 
whose  leaves  were  chewed  by  the  Indians,  they  be- 
ing very  nourishing.  These  leaves  contained  the 
anodj^ne  cocoaine,  in  such  extensive  use  at  the 
present  day.  In  Huamanca  three  crops  of  coca 
were  harvested  each  year,  the  leaves  requiring 
in  summer  from  thirty  to  thirty-five,  in  winter 
about  fifty  days  for  their  development.  Even  in 
our  times  an  Indian  can  pick  in  one  day  two  bas- 
kets of  coca  leaves  in  this  region,  each' basketful 
weighing  twenty  pounds.  Upon  the  cactus  plants 
which  grew  here  in  great  abundance  lived  the  fa- 
miliar cochineal  insect.  The  Indians  busied  them- 
selves industriously  in  collecting  this  insect^  and 
preparing  the  dye  which  they  used  to  color  their 
finely  woven  material  made  from  the  wool  of  the 
vicuna.  A  third  very  important  product  of  the 
country  was  salt,  for  here  there  were  not  only  salt 
springs,  but  also  immense,  inexhaustible  beds  of 
salt,  wdiicli  had  been  mined  for  ages.  Along  the 
well-built  roads  stretched  fields  of  maize  and  other 
grains,  which  yielded  an  abundant  crop.  For- 
merly there  had  been  herds  of  tame  llamas,  but  at 
the  time  of  our  story  these  had  long  since  been 
exterminated  by  rapacious  Spaniards. 


46  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

So  the  Spanish  settlers  could  live  here  in  ease, 
for  they  made  part  of  the  Indians  subservient  to 
them,  and  lacked  bat  one  thing — meat.  The  Ind- 
ians of  high  rank  had  disappeared  from  this  region ; 
they  lived,  as  has  been  said,  at  the  court  of  their 
Inca  in  the  inaccessible  plateaus,  and  the  common 
people  of  Peru  had  never  been  accustomed  to  eat 
meat.  Only  from  time  to  time  they  enjoyed  a 
guinea-pig  soup,  which  animal  was  raised  by  them 
as  rabbits  are  with  us.  But  the  Sj)aniards  did 
not  learn  to  like  this  sowp. 

The  country,  however,  afforded  game  for  their 
kitchens.  Near  the  settlements  this  was  scarce, 
but  as  one  ascended  higher  into  the  mountains 
one  reached  a  zone  of  dense  forests.  Here  there 
were  different  kinds  of  deer  and  tapirs,  fowls  and 
doves,  the  flesh  of  which  tasted  delicious ;  further 
up  the  mountains  lived  the  wild  vicuna,  the 
chamois  of  the  Andes,  The  Indians,  busied  with 
farming,  did  not,  however,  understand  hunting. 
The  Inca's  own  hunters  had  formerly  attended  to 
this,  but  these  men,  accustomed  to  a  freer  life,  had 
disappeared  with  their  ruler  from  the  region. 

AVhen  the  attacks  of  the  Indians  became  less 
and  less  frequent,  the  Sj^aniards  made  hunting 
excursions  into  the  woods,  and  among  them  was 
Amador  de  Calabrera. 


WITH   PIZAUIIO   IN   VERU.  47 

On  these  expeditions  he  became  familiar  with 
the  magnificent  nature  of  the  Cordilleras.  It  had 
a  great  attraction  for  h  im.  In  the  forests,  between 
the  rocky  ravines,  on  the  tall  cliffs  from  which 
one  could  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  snow-covered 
tops  of  the  mountains,  his  heart  found  a  beneficent 
calm.  Here  he  saw  no  sad  scenes  of  rapine  and 
oppression  such  as  he  must  witness  in  the  settle- 
ments. Tlie  Spaniards  still  searched  for  gold. 
Every  Indian,  in  their  eyes,  knew  of  some  secret 
hiding-place,  for  the  report  was  circulated  that 
the  Incas  had  not  surrendered  their  greatest  treas- 
ures to  the  S^^aniards,  but  had  hidden  them  in 
caves  in  the  mountains.  Amador  de  Calabrera  was 
doubtless  one  of  the  bravest  of  Pizarro's  soldiers, 
but  avarice  was  unknown  to  his  nature.  In  these 
campaigns  he  had  often  seen  that  gold  brought 
the  conquerors  no  haj^piness.  Scarcely  had  it 
been  extorted,  by  the  worst  means,  than  it  changed 
masters.  The  soldier  gambled  away  his  share  in 
a  single  night,  and  the  winner  gloried  over  him 
the  next  day.  Gold  alone  cannot  establish  a 
man's  happiness,  true  happiness  can  be  attained 
only  by  an  industrious  and  upright  life;  and  were 
there  not  a  thousand  ojiportunities  to  lead  such  a 
life?  Could  one  not  graft  upon  the  remarkably 
high  civilization  of  the  Peruvians  the  branch  of 


48  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

Christianity,  and  tlius  assure  to  this  gifted  peo- 
ple iDeaceable  happiness?  'No  one  in  Huamanca 
thought  of  such  a  thing,  for  the  settlers  were  rob- 
bers and  adventurers.  They  did  indeed  convert 
the  Indians  and  bajitize  them,  but  this  occurred 
by  means  of  brute  force,  in  masses,  while  armed 
soldiers  stood  drawn  up  in  line  before  the  Indians 
destined  to  receive  baptism. 

With  a  sore  heart,  Amador  witnessed  such 
scenes,  and  even  worse  ones.  He  saw  sons  and 
daughters  torn  from  their  parents,  and  made  to 
serve  the  Spaniards.     This  was  a  harsh  slavery. 

As  he  longed  to  be  back  in  the  wilderness,  away 
from  these  horrible  acts,  he  became  a  hunter,  pass- 
ing but  little  time  in  Huamanca,  and  dwelling 
on  the  mountain  toj)  in  a  simple  log  hut,  a  rash 
procedure  at  which  the  other  settlers  shook  their 
heads;  but  Amador  had  a  clear  conscience,  he  had 
injured  none  of  the  Indians  in  the  valley,  he  knew 
that  they  considered  him  a  good  viracocJia,  viz., 
a  son  of  the  sun,  and  so  he  did  not  fear  them. 

In  the  region  where  he  had  built  his  log  hut 
there  were  no  j)atlis  leading  into  the  plateaus  of 
Vilcabamba,  in  which  the  last  Inca  resided.  An 
attack  upon  the  Spaniards  from  this  region  had 
never  been  attempted.  Here  the  chain  of  the  Cor- 
dilleras rose  in  fearfully  steej)  masses  against  the 


WITH  PiZAKKo  IN  i'p:i:u  49 

blue  sky.     Only  tlie  wild  vicufui  could  here  liiid 
its  way,  leaping  over  ravines;  only  the  proud  con 
dor,  borne  on  its  massive  wings,  could  tiy  over 
these  mountains.     These  mountains  formed  a  bar- 
rier which  mocked  all  foolhardy  attempts. 

On  the  lower  range  of  this  chain  of  mountains, 
and  at  the  border  of  the  woods,  stood  Amador's 
hut. 

It  was  on  a  clear  May  day.  Amador  had  com- 
pany. The  old  swordsman  Alcan  had  come  from 
Huamanca  to  the  hunter's  hut.  He  had  been  made 
governor  of  the  province  Huamanca  by  Pizarro, 
and  sought  to  profit  by  this  i:)osition. 

"  You  are  still  young,"  he  frequently  remarked 
to  Amador,  "  the  world  is  still  before  you.  You 
can  cross  the  Andes  and  descend  into  the  valley 
of  Maranon  and  there  discover  the  true  Eldorado. 
I  am  old,  soon  I  con  no  longer  brandish  my  sword, 
and  so  I  must  accumulate  a  little  stock  of  gold 
for  mv  old  age." 

Alcan  had  come  to  visit  Amador  as  an  old  friend, 
or  at  least  he  had  so  stated  upon  his  arrival.  But 
gradually  he  began  to  cross-question  his  friend, 
so  that  Amador  soon  perceived  that  only  a  strange 
curiosity  had  brought  the  governor  of  the  prov- 
ince to  this  wilderness. 

"We  are  old  friends,"  said    Alcan,   "brothers 


60  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

at  arms,  you  need  have  no  secrets  from  me.  Your 
advantage  is  my  advantage  and  tlie  reverse,  dear 
friend.  Pali!  you  do  not  sit  here  like  a  hermit 
in  this  wilderness  for  the  sake  of  deer.  I  suspect 
what  your  object  is,  and  I  am  angry  Avith  you  for 
having  a  secret  from  me." 

"  You  are  mistaken,  Alcan,"  rex)lied  Amador 
with  a  smile.  "  What  other  object  could  I  have 
in  these  mountains? " 

"What  other?"  said  Alcan,  half  shutting  his 
eyes  and  stealing  a  glance  at  Amador.  "  JN  otliing 
merely  trilling,  certainly,  Yoa  are  here  preparing 
for  a  second  conquest  of  Peru,  which  will  far  sur- 
pass the  first  in  spoils." 

Amador  laughed  aloud. 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,  Alcan,"  he  cried. 
"  Do  you  think  that  I  wish  to  seek  in  the  Avoods 
of  Marahon,  the  Eldorado?  Oh,  then  I  should 
have  joined  the  band  which  has  gone  there." . 

"Exactly,  the  Eldorado,"  replied  Alcan;  "that 
is  what  I  mean,  and  what  you  seek,  my  denr  sly- 
boots, is  much  nearer.  If  we  could  now  climb  to 
the  top  of  that  mountain,  I  wager  we  could  look 
over  beyond  that  line  of  rocks,  into  the  valley  of 
Vilcabamba,  in  which  Inca  Manco  guards  like  a 
Cerberus  the  imperial  treasures  of  Peru." 

"  Yes,  I  should  like  to  go  there,"  cried  Amador, 


WITH    PI/AKIIO    IX    VEUV.  51 

laughing  loudly;  "but  you  must  first  show  uie 
the  way,  for  I  tell  you  there  is  /to  path  over  the 
mountains/' 

"Do  you  think  so?"  replied  Alcan:  "and  I  tell 
you  that  there  is  no  mountain  in  the  world  over 
which  one  cannot  climb.  Besides  the  jiasses  to 
Yilcabaniba,  which  Inca  Manco's  troops  have  or- 
cupied,  there  must  be  others.  You  surely  know 
that  Pizarro  had  taken  captive  a  young  sister  of 
Inca  Man  CO,  the  beautiful  Inez,  in  the  City  of  the 
Kings?'"-  Alcan  had  been  absent  from  the  city 
during  Amador's  stay  there. 

"  Oh,  I  know  that,"  Amador  interrupted.  '*  Who 
could  forget  the  most  beautiful  and  x^i^udest 
maiden  of  Peru,  when  once  he  had  seen  her? " 

"Ha,  ha,  ha!"  laughed  Alcan.  "You  speak 
very  enthusiastically  of  her.  Well,  she  is  no 
longer  at  Pizarro's  court." 

"  Indeed!  and  what  has  become  of  her?" 

"  She  has  gone !  Common  Indians  helped  her 
to  riight.  You  knoAv  that  we  treated  her  as  a 
hostage.  If  Inca  Manco  would  not  surrender  she 
was  to  share  the  same  fate  as  Inca  Manco's  young 
wife.  You  know,  to  be  bound  to  a  tree,  and  slowly 
put  to  death !  " 

Amador  uttered  not  a  Avord  of  reply,  but  the 
*  The  old  name  for  the  present  city  of  Lima. 


52  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

veins  on  liis  forehead  swelled  with  righteous  in- 
dignation. 

*'  But  only  think,"  continued  Alcan,  "  the  time 
set  by  Pizarro  for  the  Inca  has  not  yet  expired, 
and  behold  the  princess  has  disappeared  from  the 
City  of  the  Kings.  The  traces  lead  to  Huamanca; 
but  not  a  soul  has  seen  her  here,  and,  as  weeks 
have  elapsed  since  the  flight,  she  must  have 
reached  Vilcabamba  by  some  secret  path,  and  Inca 
Manca  laughs  at  the  viceroy.  Ha!  you  under- 
stand me.  By  a  path  which  a  fine  princess  can 
travel,  we  too  could  enter  Vilcabamba,  you  un- 
derstand me,  so  secretly,  so  unexpectedly." 

"  Oh,  I  understand  you,"  replied  Amador.  "  But 
I  must  repeat  to  you  that  there  is  no  i)ath  from 
here  over  the  Andes.  I  have  not  even  seen  a 
vicuna  come  from  there.  It  is  useless  trouble  to 
search  here  for  a  pass." 

"  Then  your  behavior  is  a  riddle  to  me,"  said 
Alcan. 

"  That  I  believe,  my  friend,"  said  Amador,  '•  for 
my  behavior  will  always  be  a  riddle  to  you.  You 
know  that  many  of  the  commanders  and  knights 
after  their  return  to  Europe  have  written  books 
upon  their  campaigns  and  travels  in  the  New 
World.  I  too  wish  to  w^rite  a  book,  but  not  on 
my  deeds  and  those  of  the  Spaniards,  which  I  liave 


WITH    I'lZAUIio    IX    PETIT.  53 

seen,  for  that  would  be  a  sad  history  of  a  bloody 
civil  war.  Besides,  I  came  too  late  to  describe  the 
conquest  of  Peru,  so  I  shall  content  myself  with 
describing  the  nature  of  Peru,  the  strange  moun- 
tains and  woods,  the  wonderful  animals  and  birds 
which  dwell  in  them.  Here  in  this  quiet  region  I 
can  watch  them,  I  know  how  they  build  their 
nests,  feed  their  young,  where  they  seek  their 
food " 

"Amador  I  "  Alcan  interrupted  him.  "  Oh,  that 
is  wearisome  enough  to  kill  one!  Pray  tell  me 
nothing  more  of  it.  My  thoughts  are  in  Vilca- 
bamba,  and  if  you  can  find  no  way  over  the  moun- 
tains, then  I  am  sorry  for  you." 

He  rose  and  called  his  companions. 

"Farewell,"  he  said  to  Amador.  The  tone  of 
his  voice  had  suddenly  become  cool.  He  was 
tirmlv  convinced  that  Amador  had  a  secret,  and 
he  went  away  offended,  but  secretly  vowed  that 
sooner  or  later  he  would  discover  this  secret. 


III. 


Amador  did  indeed  know  of  no  pass  over  the 
mountains,  nor  liad  lie,  ux?  to  this  time,  felt  the 
slightest  desire  to  find  one. 

"Of  what  nse  would  it  be?"  he  asked  himself, 
after  Alcan  had  gone  away,  "The  Spaniards 
would  enter  Vilcabamba  by  any  such  new  way, 
and  would  ruin  the  distant  vallev.  Then  fresh 
scenes  of  robbery  and  bloodshed  would  occur  in 
this  i)eaceful  vale.  Fresh  persecutions  of  this 
already  so  sorely  tried  j)eople  would  be  instituted." 
No,  he  cherished  no  secret  i)lans  for  further  con- 
quests, his  nature  was  not  filled  with  the  thirst 
for  greed,  he  cared  not  for  the  treasures  of  the 
Incas. 

But  when  Alcan  had  disappeared  with  his  com- 
panions among  the  tall  trees  of  the  thick  forest, 
Amador  noticed  that  he  had  become  uneasy.  His 
eyes  now  wandered  to  the  chain  of  high  moun- 
tains, and  his  thoughts  flew  to  Vilcabamba.  Could 
she  really  be  there,  with  her  brother,  the  i^roud 


WITH   PIZAKRO   IX   PERU.  55 

beautiful  Inez?  or  was  slie  hiding  like  a  hunted 
doe  in  the  valleys  of  Huanianca,  perchance  crouch- 
ing in  some  dense  thicket  of  these  vast  forests, 
seeking  in  vain  for  a  favorable  opi)ortunity  to 
escape  her  pursuers? 

He  found,  somewhat  to  his  surf)rise,  that  he 
could  think  of  nothing  but  her.  Although  by  no 
means  forgetting  her,  of  late  his  intercourse  with 
her  in  the  city  of  Cuzco  had  come  to  seem  to  him 
a  vague,  beautiful  dream.  Some  months  had 
elapsed  since  his  hopes  had  been  so  rudely  shat- 
tered and  he  had  been  ordered  to  Huamanca. 
Gradually  he  had  almost  lost  all  hoj)e.  AVhat 
prospect  was  there  that  Inca  Manco  would  ,soon 
surrender  to  the  authority  of  the  hated  Spaniards? 

But  Alcan's  words  had  revived  all  these  mem- 
ories. He  could  think  of  nothing  but  Aclia,  or 
Inez.  Aclia  fleeing  for  her  life  from  Pizarro 
and  his  cruel  soldiers.  Aclia  striving  hopelessly, 
vainly,  as  it  seemed,  to  escape  the  fate  of  her 
young  sister-in-law.  His  blood  boiled  at  the  very 
idea,  and  then  his  indignation  yielded  to  softer 
thoughts. 

Was  it  a  mere  fancy,  or  had  her  hand  trembled 
as  he  held  it  clasped  in  his  own  at  their  parting? 
Had  a  tear  sparkled  in  her  clear  eye?  Ah,  that 
was  but  a  jmssing  emotion!  at  the  same  moment 


56  WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERTT. 

the  Indian  girl  had  overcome  it,  and  had  stood 
before  him  proud  and  dignified,  as  was  proper  in 
the  sister  of  the  Inca.  He  had  no  assurance  that 
she  returned  his  love,  no  words  of  love  had  been 
exchanged  between  them,  and  yet  something  had 
seemed  to  tell  him  that  she  cared  for  him  in  re- 
turn. Aside  from  his  feeling  for  her,  she  would 
have  been  to  any  teacher  the  most  interesting  of 
the  small  group  of  pupils ;  her  mind  was  so  clear,  so 
keen  and  capable  of  cultivation.  And  it  was  this 
lovely  creature,  this  fair,  innocent  maiden  whom 
that  bandit  of  a  Pizarro  wished  to  have  tortured 
to  a  disgraceful  death !  Ah,  he  had  done  wisely 
indeed,  to  send  Amador  far  away  to  this  distant 
province!  Well  he  knew  that  Amador  de  Cala- 
brera  would  j)rotest  with  the  last  drop  of  his  blood 
against  such  an  outrage. 

But  had  she  no  one  to  x^rotect  her  against  this 
scoundrel?    Where  was  Father  Felij^o? 

Where  was  he  indeed?  Amador  had  not  heard 
of  this  good  old  man's  death,  which  had  occurred 
some  three  weeks  after  the  former's  departure. 
With  his  death,  Aclia's  only  friend  among  the 
Spaniards  was  removed,  the  only  one  who  perhaps 
might  have  prevented  Pizarro's  cruel  plans.  But 
although  ignorant  of  this,  upon  one  thing  Ama- 
dor was  firmly  resolved.     Inez  should  not  fall  into 


WITH   PIZAIIRO   IN    PERIT,  57 

Pizarro's  liands  if  he  could  prevent  it.  The  thought 
of  the  friglitful  fate  awaiting  her,  shoukl  she  be 
recaptured,  made  his  heart  ache. 

No,  friend  Alcan,  there  is  no  pass  here  through 
the  Cordilleras,  and  had  Amador  known  of  one, 
he  would  now  have  betrayed  it  to  no  Spaniard. 
Alcan  had  sown  a  whirlwind  in  Amador's  heart 
bj"  his  account  of  the  beautiful  Inez-Aclia's  flight. 
Her  uncertain  fate  tormented  him  as  though  his 
own  safety  were  at  stake.  He  had  no  rest.  The 
form  of  the  Indian  girl  floated  before  his  eyes  and 
followed  him  in  all  his  pursuits.  He'  saw  her 
beautiful  face,  unusually  fair  for  her  race,  with 
her  large,  soft,  daik  eyes,  veiled  by  their  long 
lashes,  her  regular  features,  her  luxuriant,  silky 
hair  floating  around  her  graceful  form,  so  slender 
and  lithe.  Ah,  to  know  her  safe  from  these  brut- 
ish Spaniards!  Could  he  but  climb  these  lofty 
mountains,  and  catch  a  glimpse  of  her  new  home! 

Strange!  Amador  now  sought  with  the  great- 
est eagerness  a  path  over  the  mountains.  In  the 
log  house  he  had  two  Indian  servants;  formerly 
they  had  accompanied  him  on  his  expeditions; 
now  he  almost  always  left  them  at  home,  and 
went  on  his  searches  for  the  pass  accompanied 
only  by  his  faithful  dog  Stutt. 

At  that  time  Alpine  excursions  were  unknown 


58  WITH   PIZARIIO   IN   PERU. 

in  Europe,  and  Amador  was  not  familiar  with  all 
the  means  for  rendering  comparatively  easy  the 
ascent  of  steep  mountains.  Celebrated  climbers 
travel  in  parties  of  two  or  three  at  least.  One 
helps  the  others.  But  Amador  could  have  no 
companions.  The  secret  of  his  heart  was  connected 
with  the  finding  of  this  path,  and  he  would  have 
no  confidants. 

Two  weeks  had  already  jDassed  since  that  visit 
of  Alcan,  two  weeks  of  arduous,  superhuman 
labor,  but  Amador  could  not  pride  himself  upon 
the  slightest  success.  But  yet  he  had  finally  dis- 
covered something.  It  was  no  path,  but  a  roomy 
cave,  which  afi'orded  protection  from  wind  and 
storm.  Within  this  cave  a  spring  issued  from  the 
ground  and  lost  itself  further  on,  among  the  dark 
passages.  This  spring  supplied  excellent  drink- 
ing water.  All  this  was  of  the  greatest  imjjor- 
tance  for  Amador's  undertaking. 

Climbing  high  mountains  is  no  pleasure-walk 
which  can  be  accomplished  in  one  day;  it  is  a 
work  which  often  lasts  for  days,  and  the  mountain 
climber  must,  therefore,  camp  in  the  mountains 
at  night,  so  that  at  break  of  day  he  may  push  on. 

Amador  too  must  do  this,  and  the  cave  offered 
him  an  excellent  resting-2:)lace.  Here,  protected 
from  wind  and  storm,  he  could  pass  the  nights, 


WITH  I'lZAiiuo  i.\  I'Kur.  59 

and  could  begin  his  f uitlier  investigations  early 
in  the  morning. 

lie  inmiediately  set  about  making  his  cave,  as 
he  called  it,  cond'ortable.  Each  day  he  dragged 
some  provisions  there,  brought  a  few  warm  Indian 
blankets,  wood  from  the  neighboring  slopes,  two 
pots  in  which  water  could  be  boiled.  He  formed 
a  simple  hearth  from  stones,  and  thus  made  his 
bivouac  comfortable.  At  first  he  returned  each 
night  to  liis  log  Imt.  But  one  dav  he  sent  the 
two  Indians  with  game,  biixls'  feathers,  and  skins 
to  the  capital  of  Huamanca,  some  two  days'  jour- 
ney distant,  gave  them  all  kinds  of  written  com- 
missions which  would  detain  them  in  the  city  for 
several  daj-s,  and  when  the  servants  had  disap- 
peared into  the  woods,  he  set  out  at  a  rapid  pace, 
accompanied  by  his  faithful  Stutt,  for  the  cave  in 
the  mountains,  to  pass  the  night  there  and  early 
in  the  morning  of  the  next  day  begin  his  dan- 
gerous search. 

To-day  we  are  familiar  with  all  the  dangers 
which  threaten  the  mountain  wanderer.  He  may 
fall  and  die  during  the  fall;  he  may  be  hurled 
with  broken  limbs  to  a  spot  where  he  must  lie 
starving  and  freezing  to  death;  he  may  fall  into 
the  crevasse  of  a  glacier  without  receiving  inju- 
ries, and  yet  not  be  able  to  leave  this  icy  grave, 


60  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

then  freeze  to  death  before  he  has  had  time  to 
starve;  he  may  crash  through  snow  whicli  has 
formed  a  bridge  over  a  crack  in  the  ice,  and  then 
suffocate  between  the  icy  walls;  or  again,  sur- 
rounded by  a  thick  fog,  he  may  lose  his  way,  and 
having  exhausted  his  strength  in  his  long  wander- 
ings, be  forced  to  lie  down  and  die;  he  may  lose 
his  footing,  or  be  wounded  by  a  falling  stone. 
But,  as  we  have  said,  mountain  climbing  was  un- 
known to  Euroi)eans  then,  and  Amador  had  no 
suspicion  of  the  fearful  dangers  which  threatened 
him. 

He  was  soon  to  become  familiar  with  them.  On 
the  very  first  day  he  received  a  warning.  He  had 
found  a  natural  path  leading  up  the  mountain. 
He  followed  it  with  a  happy  heart,  when  suddenly, 
after  climbing  for  hours,  the  path  stopped  at  the 
edge  of  a  precij)ice.  Resting  on  his  iron-tipped 
stick,  Amador  bent  forward  and  gazed  down  into 
the  depths;  he  started  back  in  horror,  and  almost 
lost  his  balance,  for  there,  tw^o  hundred  feet  below 
him,  a  human  skeleton  was  being  blanched  by  the 
sun  upon  a  rocky  ledge. 

So  there  had  been  men  before  him  who  had  here 
sought  a  path,  and  had  paid  with  their  lives  for 
their  foolhardy  undertaking. 

He  went  back  with  gloomy  heart,  everywhere 


WITH    I'lZAiniO   IN   PERU.  61 

taking  an  observation,  and  imprinting  the  forms  of 
mountains  deep  upon  his  memory.  All  these 
sununits,  cliffs,  ravines  were  for  him  of  the  great- 
est importance.  Up  to  the  present  time  there  is 
no  map  of  that  part  of  the  Andes,  and  Amador 
must  observe  closely,  notice  every  rock,  so  that 
he  might  iind  his  way.  in  this  labyrinth. 

To  these  difficulties  were  added,  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  others  sent  down  by  the  skies.  Early  in 
the  morning  he  saw  in  the  distance  thick  clouds 
resting  on  the  mountains,  and  heard  the  thunder 
rumble.  In  the  evening  the  sky  was  pierced  by 
the  vivid  lightning,  which  lit  u})  with  a  ghostly 
radiance  the  masses  of  mountains.  Then  in  the 
night  the  weather  changed,  a  fearful  hail -storm 
came  up,  the  path -finder  in  the  Andes  was  forced 
to  remain  in  his  cave. 

What  should  he  do?  The  day  was  long,  his 
view  obstructed  by  the  mist  and  storm.  He  was 
a  prisoner  in  the  cave,  and  began  to  explore  his 
prison. 

There  were  niches  and  passages,  but  in  the  dim 
light  he  could  see  nothing  plaiidy,  and  it  was 
dangerous  to  proceed  at  random,  for  might  not 
some  one  of  these  passages  end  in  an  abyss?  Had 
not  a  kind  Providence  given  him  one  warning 
already  by  that  skeleton? 


62  WITH    PIZARRO    IN   PERU. 

Amador  ceased  liis  investigations.  He  seated 
himself  resignedly,  and  listened  to  the  howling  of 
the  storm ;  he  wrapped  himself  in  his  blankets  and 
thought  of  Vilcabamba  where  dwelt  the  last  Inca. 

He  thought  much  of  the  beautiful  Inez,  but  the 
hours  passed  very  slowly.  The  cold  increased, 
and  curiosity  incited  him  to  discover  whither  the 
gloomy  passages  led. 

He  rose,  kindled  a  fire,  and  took  a  burning  torch 
of  wood.  He  entered  one  of  the  passages,  and  lo 
and  behold !  he  found  a  small  purse  lying  on  the 
ground.  He  picked  it  up  in  astonishment,  and 
hurried  with  it  to  the  entrance  of  the  cave,  that 
he  might  examine  his  find  by  daylight.  His  heart 
beat  rapidly  with  excitement,  for  here  was  an- 
other trace  of  man  in  this  deserted  wilderness. 

It  was  a  small  leather  purse  such  as  the  Indians 
made,  and  it  was  full.  Amador  weighed  it  in  his 
hands  before  he  opened  it.  It  could  not  contain 
gold,  the  purse  was  too  light  for  that. 

He  untied  the  string  at  the  top  and  looked  in. 
It  was  filled  with  a  powder. 

What  did  that  mean?  Was  it  medicine,  per- 
haps poison? 

Amador  shook  some  of  it  out  in  his  hand.  The 
coarse  powder  was  of  a  beautiful,  deep-red  color; 
here  and  there  there  were  larger  grains  of  the 


WITH    I>IZAKIif>   IX   TEItU.  63 

same  substance.  Amador  at  once  knew  what  it 
was.  This  deep  red  color  liad  been  used  since 
time  immemorial  by  the  Peruvians  as  paint.  Here 
was  the  mineral  from  which  this  paint  was  made, 
the  mineral  for  which  the  Spaniards  searched  so 
eagerly,  but  whose  beds  the  Indians  would  not 
betray  to  them.  This  mineral  which  Amador  now 
held  in  his  hand  was  cinnabar,  and  he  was  not  de- 
ceived, for  when  he  now  shook  out  some  more  of 
it  upon  the  palm  of  his  hand,  he  perceived  a  tiny 
metnl  ball,  which  moved  here  and  there.  lie  knew 
very  well  what  this  little  ball  was:  it  was  mercury, 
quicksilver,  which  is  one  of  the  component  parts 
of  cinnabar. 

The  Spaniards  laid  such  a  high  value  upon  this 
cinnabar,  for  they  needed  it  for  mining  gold  and 
silver.  Many  of  the  mines  which  had  been  discov- 
ered in  Peru  must  remain  unused,  because  there 
was  a  lack  of  fuel  for  the  smelting  furnaces  in  the 
proper  regions.  At  that  time  the  method  of  ex- 
tracting the  i:)recious  metals  from  the  ore  by  means 
of  quicksilver  had  been  introduced  into  Mexico 
with  great  success,  as  for  this  no  smelting  furnaces 
were  needed.  This  method  of  amalgamation,  car- 
ried out  in  its  roughest  mode,  was  as  follows :  The 
ore  was  ground  up  and  mixed  with  several  other 
mineral  substances.    Quicksilver  was  then  added 


64  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

to  the  mass,  whereupon  it  united  with  the  gold 
and  silver,  forming  an  amalgam.  This  was  then 
heated  uj^on  a  plate-like  aj^paratus.  The  quick- 
silver j)assed  off  in  vapor  and  was  condensed  again 
under  water,  but  the  gold  and  silver  remained  in 
the  form  of  a  cake. 

As  quicksilver  could  be  obtained  from  cinna- 
bar, and  Amador  was  familiar  with  this  method  of 
amalgamation,  his  discovery  was  most  important 
to  him.  In  or  near  these  mountains  the  long- 
sought  cinnabar  mines  must  lie. 

Amador  continued  his  investigation  of  the 
passage,  but  soon  found  its  end,  and  returned  to 
the  entrance  of  the  cave.  The  weather  had  not 
improved.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and  the  sjDring 
in  the  cave  was  greatly  swollen.  It  now  occupied 
three  times  its  usual  area,  and  overflowed  the 
lower  part  of  the  cave,  so  that  investigation  of  the 
more  distant  x)assages  was  not  to  be  thought  of. 

As  evening  drew  near  Amador  lay  down.  He 
thought  of  his  discovery,  and  imagined  what 
would  happen  should  he  discover  rich  mines  of 
cinnabar. 

His  imagination  worked  quickly.  He  fancied 
that  then  all  the  gold  and  silver  mines  as  yet 
known  in  Peru  could  be  worked.  Treasure  uj>on 
treasure  would  accrue  to  the  Spaniards,  and  the 


WlTJl    I'IZAUUO    IX    PEltU  66 

treasure  of  the  Inca  would  lose  its  importance. 
Then  there  would  be  no  more  search  for  hidden 
gold,  nor  would  the  Indians  be  persecuted  on  this 
account.  Pizarro  would  make  peace  with  Inca 
Manco,  and  then  the  way  to  Vilcabamba  would 
be  free  to  him,  Amador. 

The  more  he  thought  of  it,  the  more  magnifi- 
cent did  his  i)lan  seem  to  him.  First,  to  be  sure, 
the  cinnabar  mines  must  be  discovered,  but  per- 
haps he  would  yet  succeed  in  discovering  them. 
If  not,  he  had  an  even  more  ambitious  plan :  he 
would  go  to  Vilcabamba,  to  the  Inca,  and  play 
the  part  of  peacemaker  between  him  and  Pizarro, 
and  procure  recognition  from  the  Spaniards  of 
the  rights  and  dignity  of  the  ruler  of  Vilcabamba, 
in  exchange  for  the  secret  of  the  cinnabar  mines. 
When  one  forms  plans  in  solitude  and  no  one  is 
present  to  discuss  them,  they  usually  seem  excel- 
lent to  their  maker.  Only  the  discussion  of  them 
with  others  makes  us  perceive  their  faults.  Ama- 
dor was,  in  his  seclusion,  in  an  unfortunate  posi- 
tion; he  had  no  confidant  with  whom  he  could 
discuss  his  plans.  But  they  pleased  him,  for  they 
led  him  to  another  goal.  In  this  way  he  must 
surely  meet  the  fugitive  Inez. 

So  he  fell  asleep  with  rosy  hopes,  and  while  the 

storm  raged  without,  and  the  water  foamed  and 
5 


66 


WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PEEU. 


hissed  in  tlie  basin  of  tlie  spring,  his  dreams  were 
delightful,  for  in  them  he  crossed  the  top  of  the 
Cordillera  range,  and  hurried  as  though  on  wings 
to  the  valley  of  Vilcabamba,  which  in  its  flowery 
splendor  stretched  out  like  a  garden  of  Paradise 
before  his  eyes. 

He  dreamed  until  the  intense  cold  awaked  him, 
and  in  surprise  he  gazed  at  the  gloomy  walls  of 
the  solitary  cave,  faintly  lighted  by  the  pale 
dawn. 


IV. 


When  Amador  went  to  the  entrance  of  liis 
cave  and  glanced  out,  lie  was  highly  astonished 
at  the  sudden  change  which  had  occurred  in  the 
weather  during  the  night.  The  valleys  which 
were  inhabited  lay  thousands  of  feet  below ;  even 
the  forest  in  which  his  hut  was  built  was  now  some 
hundreds  of  feet  below  him.  Here,  high  up  among 
the  mountains,  the  air  was  thinner. 

During  the  night  there  had  been  a  frost;  deli- 
cate icicles  hung  to  the  rocks  which  arched  above 
the  entrance  to  the  cave,  the  ice-cold  wind  which 
whistled  over  the  mountains  chilled  the  Spaniard 
to  the  bone,  and  it  was  snowing  hard.  It  was  a 
snow-storm  in  which  one  could  not  see  twenty 
feet  before  him. 

He  was,  therefore,  still  a  prisoner  to  the  cave, 
and  the  hostile  elements  forged  firmer  and  firmer 
bolts  to  his  prison.  Amador  went  back  into  the 
cave  and  tried  to  kindle  a  fire  with  the  sparks 
which  he  drew  from  his  tiint.    Fortunately  he 


68  WITH   PIZAREO   IN  PERU. 

had  a  sufficient  supply  of  dry  leaves  and  twigs. 
The  flames  leaped  up ;  he  j^laced  a  waterpot  over 
them  upon  the  rough  hearth  of  stones,  threw  in 
dried  meat  and  meal,  and  adding  salt  made  him- 
self a  strong  soup. 

His  meal  was  ready,  and  he  ate  it  while  it  was 
steaming  hot.  The  rest  he  i)oured  in  a  wooden 
dish  and  gave  to  his  dog.  The  animal  trembled 
with  cold. 

"  Poor  Stutt,"  said  Amador,  "  had  I  suspected 
this,  I  would  have  j)repared  a  different  bed  for 
you.  But  now  we  will  warm  ourselves  as  best 
we  can  by  the  remains  of  the  fire.  Come,  Stutt, 
creep  in  here  under  my  blanket." 

The  dog  gladly  followed  this  invitation.  So 
dog  and  man  warmed  each  other.  But  Amador 
watched  the  whirling  snow-flakes  falling  thickly 
outside  the  entrance  of  the  cave. 

"  If  this  is  the  beginning  of  winter,"  he  thought, 
"  I  have  nothing  to  seek  up  here.  Farewell,  Vil- 
cabamba.  I  shall  be  forced  to  return  to  my  fel- 
low-men in  the  valley.  I  had  a  different  idea 
of  these  mountains,  but  it  is  as  cold  here  as  in 
Russia." 

The  storm  meanwhile  rax)idly  abated,  the  wind 
soon  scattered  the  clouds,  and  the  sky  visible 
through  the  entrance  became  blue,  it  grew  brighter 


WITH    PIZAllRO   IN   I'KRU.  69 

and  brighter,  and  finally  the  mountain  landscape 
was  bathed  in  bright  sunshine. 

Amador  rose  and  went  to  the  entrance.  •  What 
a  surprise!  The  sun  which  was  now  high  in  the 
lieavens,  shone  down  hotly.  The  snow  melted 
lapidly  beneath  tliese  rays,  while  in  the  shadow 
there  was  an  icy  chill  in  the  air.  Amador  gazed 
out  at  the  mountains  which  he  wished  to  climb. 
How  different  they  looked!  The  snowy  covering 
which  had  fallen  over-night  had  been  sufficient 
to  obliterate  many  projections,  while  others  stood 
out  all  the  more  plainly,  Amador  looked  for  the 
line  of  his  yesterday's  march.  He  could  make  it 
out  on  the  whole,  but  the  peculiarities  of  the  land- 
scape, which  yesterday  he  had  noticed  so  plainly, 
had  vanished.  Then  for  the  first  time  it  became 
clear  to  him  what  danger  he  was  about  to  run. 
Should  a  snow-storm  surprise  him  high  uj)  in  the 
exposed  mountain  regions,  when  the  paths  were 
thus  obliterated,  how  could  he  find  his  way  back? 
Would  he  not  be  liable  at  any  moment  to  slip 
upon  the  treacherous  snow  covering,  and  fall  into 
the  depths?  Perhaps  this  had  been  the  fate  of 
the  poor  man  whose  skeleton  was  now  whitening 
in  the  deep  ravine. 

Find  his  way  back !  Then  it  occurred  to  him 
that  even  from  here  he  had  a  long  and  dan2:erous 


70  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PEETI. 

way  before  liim  to  reach  his  log  hut,  and  fresh 
clouds  rose  over  the  mountains,  wrapped  the 
summits,  and  threatened  to  cover  the  sun  again. 

With  decided  uneasiness  Amador  turned  and 
looked  down  into  the  valley  over  the  route  by 
which  he  must  return.  Here,  too,  snow  covered 
everything,  but  the  well-known  path  which  Ama- 
dor had  so  often  traversed  was  still  plainly  to  be 
distinguished.  Perhaps  it  would  be  best  to  set 
out  upon  his  return  at  once.  In  a  few  hours  he 
would  be  out  of  the  region  of  snow-storms  and 
rocky  precipices,  and  would  reach  the  bare  plains; 
from  there  he  could  surely  find  the  way  to  his 
log  hut  and  could  sleej:)  the  next  night  under  a 
safe  roof. 

Then  a  fierce,  icy-cold  wind  arose,  which  seemed 
to  sweep  down  the  mountain  side.  Amador  looked 
up  at  the  heavens  once  more :  the  clouds  were  piled 
up  in  great  gloomy  masses,  and  spread  themselves 
out  with  the  rapidity  of  a  hurricane,  until  they 
covered  the  whole  sky.  He  looked  back  at  the 
path  leading  to  the  valley;  the  distance  seemed  to 
him  long.  He  once  more  scrutinized  it  as  far  as 
his  eyes  could  reach. 

The  sun  vanished  behind  the  clouds,  and  a 
gloomy  shadow  began  to  fill  the  deeper  valleys. 
All  at  once  Amador  sprang  back  behind  a  project- 


AviTir  Pi/Ai:i;(>  tx  n:in^  71 

in^  rock  as  though  he  had  ijerceived  a  poisonous 
serpent. 

Yes,  it  was  indeed  something  unexpected  which 
he  saw  down  there  below  him.  From  behind  a 
projection  upon  which  the  hist  reflection  of  the 
sunlight  lay,  came  a  man  carrying  some  one  on 
his  back.  The  distance  was  great,  but  by  the 
favorable  light  Amador  could  plainly  distinguish 
tliat  both  2:)ersons  were  Indians.  He  was  sure 
that  one  was  a  man;  and  it  seemed  to  liiiu  that 
the  person  carried  was  a  woman.  The  man  stood 
still  and  looked  up;  he  was  apparently  looking- 
for  the  entrance  to  the  cave,  which  was  visible 
from  the  spot  where  one  began  the  ascent.  Then 
he  slowly  advanced  with  his  heavy  load. 

At  the  same  moment  the  clouds  cast  a  shadow 
over  that  spot,  and  Amador  no  longer  had  such 
a  good  view  of  the  man,  but  he  could  see  Iioav  the 
woman's  garments  fluttered  in  the  icy  wind.  Then 
the  first  snow-flakes  fell,  the  landscape  became 
more  and  more  desolate,  and  the  strange  group 
vanished  from  Amador's  sight.  The  path  which 
the  Indian  was  ascending  led  only  to  the  cave, 
nowhere  did  it  turn  aside.  The  stranger,  there- 
fore, wished  to  reach  the  cave  with  his  dear  bur- 
den, there  to  seek  shelter  from  the  storm, 
r   A  man,  then,  knew  of  this  desolate  spot.     This 


r 


72  WITH   PIZAREO    IN   PERU. 

wilderness,  in  which  Amador  had  fancied  himself 
alone,  was  visited  by  others.  And  why?  Ah, 
how  could  this  seem  strange  to  him?  had  he  not 
only  yesterday  found  the  i)urse  of  cinnabar  ? 
Doubtless  this  was  one  of  the  cinnabar  seekers, 
who  had  been,  with  his  wife,  surprised  by  the 
storm.  Well,  he  would  make  his  appearance  in 
a  quarter  of  an  hour.  Then  Amador  would  have 
company. 

But  why  did  he  carry  the  woman  on  his  back? 
Was  she  ill?  had  she  fallen  and  injured  herself? 
It  was  a  hard  task  for  the  poor  man  to  climb  tip 
this  steep  j)ath  with  such  a  burden  and  in  such 
a  storm.  And  now,  at  this  moment,  he  must  be 
at  the  steepest  place,  where  the  rocky  wall  de- 
scended abruptly,  and  one  was  forced  to  hold  fast 
to  the  rocky  projections  to  climb  up  safely.  This 
dangerous  path  ascended  for  a  hundred  feet; 
then  it  became  easy  and  safe  again  for  one  who 
knew  it. 

Minutes  passed.  Amador  wrapi^ed  himself  in 
his  mantle,  and  went  back  into  the  cave,  for  the 
icy  wind  penetrated  through  his  clothes  as  though 
the  woollen  stuff  had  been  but  gossamer.  But  he 
did  not  remain  there  long.  "  What  am  I  doing 
remaining  here? "  he  cried.  "  Perhaps  he  is  too 
weak,  and  needs  my  lielj^.     Death  is  threatening 


AVT'i'H     IMZAKUO    TX    TMMIU.  73 

them  J)otli.  They  are  only  Indians,  indeed,  but 
am  T  not  a  Christian?  ^Vhy  do  I  hesitate  to  do 
what  is  so  obviously  my  duty?" 

lie  seized  liis  climbing  staff,  drew  his  \\  oollen 
cap  low  down  over  his  forehead,  and  quickly  left 
the  cave.  Stutt  probably  fancied  that  his  master 
was  about  to  return  home.  "With  a  jovons  bark, 
wliicli  wns  drowoed  by  the  iierce  gale,  he  si)rang 
down  the  familiar  path  in  great  leaps.  But  Stutt 
was  not  accustomed  to  run  down  mountain  paths 
covered  with  snow.  Scarcely  had  he  run  ahead 
of  his  master  for  a  few  feet  when  Amador  saw 
the  dog  slip,  roll  over,  and  fall  into  the  yawning 
depths  below. 

This  sight  nuide  Amador  ^-jause  in  alarm.  He 
stood  still;  on  this  easy  path  there  were  many 
places  which  i)assed  close  to  the  brink  of  a 
precipice.  It  was  a  foolhardy  undertaking  to  try 
to  climb  down  in  this  snow-storm;  the  faithful 
dog  had  warned  him.  Was  it  not  madness  to  risk 
his  life  for  two  strange  Indians?  Egotism  con- 
quered, and  he  returned  to  the  cave.  But  he  had 
no  peace.  He  could  not  cease  thinking  of  the 
woman's  figure  he  had  distinguished. 

Were  the  two  but  men  he  could  leave  them  to 
their  fate,  but  as  it  was,  how  ignoble,  how  lacking 
in  chivalry  was  his  conduct!     He  was  about  to 


74  WITH   PIZAEKO   IN   PEEF. 

set  out  once  more,  but  egotism  again  weakened 
liis  good  resolve. 

"  Be  sensible/'  it  i^leaded;  "  do  you  know  what 
kind  of  Indians  they  are?  Do  you  know  what 
reward  you  will  receive  for  your  good  action? 
You  will  warm  serpents  in  your  bosom,  and  they 
will  reward  your  benevolence  with  the  mortal 
sting.  Be  prudent.  These  mountain,  these  caves, 
conceal  secrets,  important  secrets,  which  the  In- 
dians will  not  betray  to  the  Spaniards.  If  they 
see  that  you  know  this  j)lace  they  will  injure 
you,  will  kill  you,  for  perhaps  a  secret  path  leads 
over  this  mountain  to  Vilcabamba."  Vilcabamba ! 
Scarcely  had  Amador  thought  of  this  valley,  when 
he  at  once  sprang  up,  hastened  to  the  entrance, 
and  sought  to  pierce  the  thickly  falling  snow-flakes 
with  his  gaze.  This  was  now  the  true  Amador  de 
Calabrera,  whose  eyes  flashed  fire  and  whose  ex- 
j)ression  betokened  courage  and  resolution. 

"  Miserable,  cowardly  wretch !  "  he  ejaculated, 
from  between  set  teeth,  rej^roving  himself;  and 
with  a  firm  step,  carefully  feeling  his  way  through 
the  snow  with  his  stout  stick,  he  started  down  the 
path  completely  hidden  with  snow. 

And  what  was  it  that  had  so  suddenly  changed 
his  decision?  What  had  made  him,  forgetting  all 
danger,  risk  his  life  for  two  Indians? 


WITH    PIZARRO   IN   PERU.  75 

It  was  tlie  thought  that  by  this  secret  path,  if, 
as  the  Spaniards  suspected,  there  was  one,  the 
beautiful  sister  of  the  Inca  might  flee  to  Vilca- 
bamba.  A  cinnabar-seeker  would  have  long  ago 
returned  to  the  valley,  where  pleasant  weather 
and  safety  awaited  him.  "Whoever  now  sought  to 
climb  the  mountains  in  the  stormy  night,  whoever 
resolved  to  look  death  in  the  face,  here  on  the 
snow-covered  mountain,  where  all  paths  were  now 
completely  obliterated,  did  it  only  because  he 
knew  that  a  band  of  pursuers  was  at  liis  heels,  be- 
cause he  preferred  death  from  a  fall  or  the  terrible 
frost,  to  falling  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 
Whoever  now  wrestled  with  the  storm  for  his  last 
breath  of  life  was  in  the  same  position  as  the 
fugitive  Inez,  who  wished  to  be  saved  from  the 
rough  executioners  of  the  bandit  captain  Pizarro. 
And  for  her  sake  the  pursued  Indian  couple 
should  be  saved. 

Such  thoughts  had  flashed  like  lightning 
through  Amador's  head,  and  as  quickly  he  had 
resolved  to  save  the  two  down  below  him,  or  die. 

But  while  he  now  slowly  tried  to  descend,  he 
thought  neither  of  Inez  nor  of  Yilcabamba.  He 
was  fully  conscious  of  the  great  danger  he  ran, 
and  all  his  senses  and  powers  were  strained  solely 
to  discover  the  path.     IIow  slowly  the  descent 


76  WITH   PIZARRO   IIST   PERU. 

was  accomplislied !  Often  Amador  longed  to 
hurry  on  at  a  more  rapid  pace,  but  he  restrained 
himself.  Haste  here  meant  death,  and  he  had  no 
desire  to  share  poor  Stutt's  fate. 

He  stood  still  to  recover  his  breath,  which  the 
wind  had  beaten  out  of  him.  He  rubbed  his 
hands,  grown  stiff  and  numb  with  cold,  and  stared 
gloomily  before  him.  "  It  is  not  much  further 
now  to  the  steep  place,"  said  he  to  himself.  "  It 
was  too  much  for  him  with  such  a  heavy  burden !  " 
And  he  proceeded  even  more  slowly,  for  soon  he 
would  reach  the  steep  part  of  the  path,  and  this 
part  of  the  descent  was  the  most  dangerous.  He 
peered  ahead.  Before  the  descent  began  he  must 
pass  a  low  projecting  rock,  which  stretched  along 
the  path  like  a  broad  stone  bench.  Was  this  land- 
mark also  obliterated  by  the  snow? 

A  few  more  steps,  and  he  drew  a  breath  of  relief. 

Yes,  yonder  rose  this  bench,  which  Avas  now 
covered  with  snow,  and  upon  it  the  two  he  Was 
seeking,  one  i)erson  in  a  sitting,  the  other  in  a  re- 
clining, posture.  He  called  to  them:  "Courage, 
you  are  saved!  "  But  no  one  answered  him;  only 
the  figure  in  the  sitting  posture  seemed  to  move 
his  arms  as  though  trying  to  rise. 

In  a  few  moments  Amador  stood  before  him. 

He  w^as  a  young  Indian  with  noble  features ;  now 


SNOWSTORM    IN    THE    MOUNTAINS. 


AViTir  vizwnio  is  im:i:i  .  77 

every  drop  of  blood  seemed  to  have  left  cheeks 
and  lips;  his  eyes  stared  at  Amador  for  a  while, 
as  though  ill  horror,  then  he  closed  them  as  though 
he  wished  to  fall  into  a  deep  sleep.  Then  he 
forced  them  open  again,  and  once  more  stared 
horrified  at  his  rescuer.  He  did  not  move,  his 
arms  hung  down  limply;  oniy  in  his  eyes  did  the 
last  spark  of  life  and  of  a  fearful  mental  struggle 
linger. 

The  sons  of  sunny  Spain  had  become  familiar 
with  the  icy  breath  of  the  north  in  their  frequent 
expeditions  in  the  passes  of  the  Cordilleras. 
They  knew  from  experience  what  death  from  be- 
ing frozen  meant,  and  what  were  its  symjitoms. 
They  knew  how  the  exhausted  person  at  length 
sinks  down  to  rest,  losing  all  power  over  his  limbs, 
all  strength  of  will,  and  finally  falls  into  a  deep 
sleep,  which,  if  rescue  is  not  speedily  at  hand, 
passes  into  the  sleep  of  death.  Amador  therefore 
at  once  recognized  the  situation  of  the  Indian  man ; 
as  a  r.escuer  had  appeared,  it  was  no  longer  ne- 
cessarily dangerous.  With  greater  anxiety  he 
turned  to  the  woman  stretched  out  upon  the 
rocks.  Her  face  was  covered  with  a  woollen 
shaAvl.     Amador  uncovered  it. 

He  stood  there  as  if  stunned.  He  gazed  at  a 
pale,  lovely  face,  which  was  as  calm  as  though  the 


73  WITH   PIZAllRO   IX   PERU. 

maiden  slept  peacefully  and  dreamed  hapj)ily.  A 
face  which  was,  ah !  so  well  known  to  him,  whose 
features  were  imprinted  upon  his  heart.  For  this 
was  the  lovely  form  of  his  dreams,  the  form  which 
he  had  fancied  in  the  gardens  of  Vilcabamba. 
This  was  the  beautiful,  proud  sister  of  the  Inca, 
and  he  found  her  lying  here  by  the  path,  uncon- 
scious or  dead,  near  desolate  rocky  ravines  and 
in  the  blinding  snow-storm. 

"  Dead !  Merciful  God,  not  that !  Oh,  why  did 
I  so  long  delay  coming  to  her  rescue?  Gracious 
God,  do  not  i^unish  me  for  it.  Forgive  my  cow- 
ardice ! " 

Thus  Amador's  excited  heart  implored,  and  he 
called  loudly:  "Inez!  Inez!  Stand  up!  I  will 
save  you !     Awake !  " 

But  the  sleeping  girl  did  not  move ;  she  did  not 
open  her  eyes,  the  eyelids  did  not  even  quiver, 
her  mouth  remained  silent  and  motionless.  Only 
the  cold,  fierce  wind  j)layed  with  the  loose  curls 
on  her  brow.  Then  Amador  wrapped  the  shawl 
around  her  head,  raised  her  in  his  arms  and  carried 
her  like  a  child ;  pressing  her  tightly  to  his  breast 
and  resting  his  right  hand  upon  his  stick,  he  hur- 
ried j)ast  the  unconscious  man,  to  carry  the  almost 
frozen  girl  out  of  the  reach  of  the  gale  into  the 
sheltered  cave. 


WITH  nzAnKo  ix  peru.  79 

The  exliiiusted  Indian's  eyes  followed  Amador 
as  he  slowly  passed  out  of  si<^ht.  The  poor  fellow, 
with  the  last  remnant  of  his  strength,  had  carried 
the  fainting  Inez  up  the  steep  ascent,  but  after 
he  had  passed  the  worst  obstacles  he  had  fallen 
down  utterly  exhausted.  Now  the  Spaniard  van- 
ished from  sight  with  the  Inca's  sister.  This  sight 
worked  like  an  electric  shock  upon  his  failing 
senses.  With  a  loud,  piercing  cry  he  rose,  and 
with  a  sui^erhuman  effort  he  dragged  himself 
after  Amador  until  liotli  reached  the  cave,  and 
then  he  sank  down  before  the  entrance.  . 


V. 


The  wind  still  blew  furiously  outside,  but  the 
snow-storm  had  ceased.  But  a  few  scattered 
clouds  passed  rapidly  across  the  sky,  now  resem- 
bling a  raging  sea,  now  a  mass  of  dark  smoke, 
and  again  tinged  by  the  bright  sunlight  they  vied 
in  radiance  with  the  snow  on  the  sloj)es. 

But  the  howling  gale  no  longer  affected  the 
three  seated  in  the  cave.  The  two  Indians  who 
had  been  so  near  death  are  saved.  The  icy  ban 
which  had  weighed  upon  them  is  broken.  Inez 
has  awakened  from  the  deep  sleep,  color  has  re- 
turned to  her  face,  her  lips  are  like  coral  and  her 
dark  eyes  are  radiant.  She  gazes  in  surprise  and 
evident  joy  at  her  rescaer,  w^ho  is  now  busy  over 
the  boiling  pots.  She  seems  to  be  so  happy  at  this 
hour,  and  her  x:)resence  adds  a  romantic  charm  to 
the  gloomy  cave. 

But  it  is  quite  otherwise  with  her  companion. 
He  leans  against  the  rocky  wall  and  stares  gloom- 
ily before  him.    His  eyes  betray  the  secret  con- 


WITH   PIZAliliO   IN    PERU.  81 

flict  wliirh  is  raging  within  liini.  He  does  not 
rejoice  at  his  and  liis  companion's  rescue.  He  has 
crossed  his  arms  over  his  chest,  and  draws  in  long, 
deep  breaths,  lie  controls  himself  as  well  as  he 
can;  were  he  alone  he  would  groan  aloud.  But 
he  cannot  control  his  heart,  it  throbs  uneasily 
against  his  chest.  Let  us  not  seek  to  i'athom  his 
thoughts;  the  young  soldier's  feelings  are  those 
of  a  defeated  commander. 

The  meal,  a  Spartan  soup,  is  at  length  ready, 
and  Amador  hands  the  princess  his  earthenware 
pot  and  his  silver  spoon.  She  eats  with  an  excel- 
lent appetite,  and  hands  the  pot  back  to  her  host. 
There  was  much  left,  for  Amador  had  cooked  for 
two  hungry  persons.  He  motions  to  the  Indian 
leaning  against  the  wall, 

"  Pray  come.  Condor !  "  adds  Inez  encouragingly. 

Condor  drew  near,  probably  more  to  obey  the 
princess  than  to  satisfy  his  hunger,  for  he  ate  lit- 
tle. The  thin  soup  seemed  to  him  impossible  to 
swallow. 

But  Amador  w^atched  the  young  man  with  evi- 
dent interest. 

Condor!  Every  Spaniard  had  heard  this  name. 
For  Inca  Condor,  a  descendant  of  the  imperial 
family  of  Peru,  had  been  the  leader  of  the  Indian 
troops  which  had  risen  two  years  before  and  be- 


82  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

sieged  the  Spaniards  in  the  capital  city  Cuzco. 
Still  young  in  years,  he  had  at  that  time  distin- 
guished himself  by  his  jDersonal  courage  and  skill 
as  a  commander.  He  it  was  who  had  fired  the 
old  imperial  city  occupied  by  the  enemy,  and  had 
driven  the  Spaniards  through  the  flames  from 
street  to  street,  from  place  to  place,  pressing  them 
hard  and  gaining  advantages  over  them,  until  the 
relief  sent  by  Pizarro  wrested  the  victory,  which 
had  seemed  so  certain,  from  his  hands. 

So  this  was  Condor,  the  bravest  and  fiercest  en- 
emy of  the  Spaniards,  whose  sole  thought  was  re- 
venge for  the  ]Dh^ndering  and  desecration  of  the 
temples  of  his  fatherland;  who  had  sworn  to 
avenge  the  execution  of  the  Emperor  Atahualpa 
by  the  blood  of  all  the  Spaniards.  So  this  was 
Condor,  who,  like  the  powerful  bird  for  which  he 
was  named,  was  accustomed  to  x)oance  down  un- 
expectedly from  the  inaccessible  rocky  fortresses 
of  the  Andes,  and  at  the  head  of  his  recklessly 
brave  men  attack  smaller  divisi<ons  of  Spaniards 
without  quarter. 

Oh,  what  would  not  Pizarro  have  given  to  have 
these  two  guests  of  Amador  in  his  power!  The 
favorite  sister  of  the  Inca,  and  his  boldest  general. 
How  Alcan  would  hasten  with  his  troops  from  the 
valley  of  Huamanca  to  this  mountain  wilderness, 


WITH    ITZAKHO    IN   PERU.  83 

if  he  knew  what  a  capture  he  could  make  in  this 
cave ! 

But  Amador  did  not  thiidv  of  how  he  coukl 
overpower  these  two  whom  he  liad  rescued.  He 
was  firmly  resolved  to  complete  his  work  of  res- 
cue, and  allow  Inez  to  cross  the  mountains. 

He  began  to  speak  with  his  former  scholar;  the 
girl  had  learned,  as  we  know,  to  speak  Spanish 
fluently.  She  conversed  with  her  rescuer  in  his 
mother  tongue,  although  he  understood  the  Indian 
language  as  well  as  she  did  Spanish.  The  warrior 
Condor  could  not  follow  the  conversation  of  the 
two,  and  so  he  went  to  the  cave  entrance  and 
gazed  gloomily  out  at  the  wild  mountain  land- 
scape. His  eyes  followed  the  i^ath  leading  down 
to  the  valley,  his  face  wore  a  deeply  troubled  look. 
So  the  Spaniards  had  penetrated  as  far  as  this! 
They  stood  before  the  secret  gate  of  Yilcabamba, 
and  perhaps  they  already  knew  it. 

Why  did  Amador  sit  in  this  cave?  He  was  per- 
haps one  of  the  spies  whom  Governor  Alcan  had 
stationed  in  the  mountains  to  catch  Inez.  He  was 
friendly  now,  but  was  not  this  Spanisli  friend- 
shiiD  merely  malice  and  treachery  ?  AVould  he 
not  detain  the  fugitives  until  other  spies  came 
from  the  valley,  and  then,  through  superiority  of 
numbers,  would   they  not   be   overpowered,   the 


84  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

Inca's  sister  seized  and  dragged  before  Pizarro? 
His  hand  clutched  convulsively  the  sharp  bronze 
dagger  which  he  wore  in  his  girdle.  •'  Why  do  I 
delay? "  he  muttered  to  himself;  "  why  have  I  not 
long  ago  taken  the  initiative  in  treachery,  and 
killed  my  enemy  ?  The  proud  Condor  will  be  no 
deceitful  serpent?  To  be  sure,  when  I  sat  on  that 
rock,  half  frozen  and  motionless,  and  he  recognized 
the  Inca's  sister,  could  he  not  have  plunged  his 
sword  in  my  breast?  He  sjmred  me,  he  saved  her 
life ;  shall  I  reward  him  for  this  by  a  cowardly 
deed?  But  am  I  wise?  A  thousand  times  has 
our  magnanimity  been  rewarded  by  these  false, 
pale  children  oi  the  sun  with  treachery;  they 
lure  us  on  to  ruin  with  slippery  kindness.  Does 
not  the  shade  of  the  murdered  Atahualpa  warn 
me  to  be  cautious?  Does  he  not  cry  for  ven- 
geance? And  Inez? "  At  the  thought  he  fro\vned 
gloomily.  "  She  is  a  weak  woman,  like  hun- 
dreds of  her  common  sisters.  She  gazes  at  the 
strange  pale-face  with  idolatrous  reverence.  Rev- 
erence! Ha,  ha,  Condor,  are  you  blind?  Do  you 
not  see  how  excited  she  is,  how  she  smiles? 
What  makes  her  forget  that  she  is  fleeing  for 
her  life?  What  makes  her  so  free  from  care,  so 
gay  in  these  grave  hours,  and  with  a  Spaniard? 
It  is  more  than  reverence.     Are  you  blind,  Con- 


Willi   I'l/AKUo  IN   ri:ur.  85 

dor?  Be  on  your  guard.  You  freed  her  from  the 
ckiws  of  the  Spaniards,  but  will  she  ever  forgive 
you  if  this  man,  the  savior  of  lier  life,  breathes 
his  last  before  her  eyes,  and  from  a  l)low  of  your 
dagger?  No,  you  must  place  these  mighty  moun- 
tains between  him  and  her." 

He  gazed  up  at  the  mountain-tops.  The  gusts 
of  the  hurricane  were  diminishing;  only  delicatis 
fleecy  clouds  stood  ajiparently  motionless  in  the 
azure  sky;  the  sun  had  conquered  the  icy  ele- 
ments, the  snow  Avas  melting  eveiywhere,  and 
dripping  down  from  a  thousand  niches  and  crev- 
ices; tiny  brooks  formed,  trickling  along,  softly 
murmuring  to  each  other,  until  finally  their  voices 
were  silent.  The  secret  path  which  the  snow  had 
30  covered  became  more  and  more  plain,  and  yet 
it  was  scarcely  past  noon. 

The  hearts  of  those  in  the  cave  also  thawed. 
Amador  sat  beside  the  Indian  princess.  He  held 
the  purse  of  cinnabar  in  his  hands,  and  explained 
to  her  the  importance  of  the  mineral.  He  spoke 
of  the  peaceable  mining  of  the  gold  and  silver 
which  must  satisfy  the  Spaniards'  greed,  and  of 
the  peaceful,  quiet  times  which  must  surely  come 
then,  of  tlie  confirming  of  Inca  Manco's  rule  of 
Peru  as  a  tributary  province  to  Spain.  He  spoke 
of  the  quiet  happiness  of  peace,  of  his  desire  to 


86  WITH   PIZAEPvO   JN   PEETJ. 

live  among  Inez'  brothers  and  sisters,  and  to  be  a 
true  friend  and  adviser  of  her  brotlier.  Lastly 
he  spoke,  somewhat  shyly  at  first,  but  growing 
more  and  more  eager,  of  his  love  for  her.  He  told 
her  how  siace  that  day,  now  so  many  months  ago, 
when  he  had  first  seen  her,  her  image  had  filled 
his  heart,  and  then  for  the  first  time  he  ventured 
to  ask  for  her  love  in  return. 

Inez  flushed  deeply  but  did  not  long  hesitate. 
Timidly  she  acknowledged  that  her  heart  had 
long  since  left  her  possession,  but  added  that 
she  feared  they  would  never  be  permitted  to  join 
hearts  and  hands.  Never  would  her  brother  allow 
his  sister  to  marry  one  of  the  hated  Spaniards, 
and  was  she  not  now  fleeing  from  the  Spaniards 
herself?  With  a  shudder  she  spoke  of  the  fear- 
ful fate  which  might  ere  this  have  been  hers,  had 
not  the  brave  Inca  Condor  succeeded  in  his  bold 
effort  to  rescue  her  from  Pizarro's  clutches.  As 
for  this  time  of  peace  of  which  Amador  spoke  so 
hopefully,  ah  yes,  it  might  change  everything,  but 
would  it  ever  dawn? 

Gradually,  however,  her  gloomy  views  vanished 
before  Amador's  eager  words.  Assured  of  her 
love,  nothing  seemed  impossible  to  him.  Inez 
herself  should  win  her  brother's  permission  for 
the  young  Spaniard  to  enter  his  domain,  and  they 


"Wl'in    I'lZAKTIO    TX    PKRU.  87 

must  not  despair,  all  would  yet  be  well — it  must, 
it  should.  The  day  would  soon  dawn  when  they 
need  part  no  more.  He  built  air-castles,  and  the 
girl  forgot  probability,  listened  to  him  with  ra- 
diant face,  and  took  dreams  for  reality. 

Then  their  happiness  was  rudely  interrupted, 
for  Inca  Condor  entered  the  cave.  His  face  was 
gloomy,  and  wore  a  look  of  fii-m,  unyielding  re- 
solve. The  young  soldier  was  accustomed  to  com- 
mand and  to  be  obeyed,  and  no  opposition  baffled 
him.  He  gazed  at  the  girl  with  a  dark  frown; 
their  eyes  met,  and,  as  if  roughly  awakened  from 
a  delightful  dream,  Inez  sprang  up. 

Condor  went  up  to  her  and  whispered  softly  in 
her  ear. 

It  must  have  been  a  fearful  communication,  for 
Inez  grew  pale,  and  staggered  back  a  few  steps, 
but  then  quickly  controlled  herself,  and,  with  eyes 
flashing  with  rage,  she  pushed  Condor  aside,  and 
drawing  herself  up  to  her  full  height  she  cried 
in  a  trembling  voice:  "Never,  unless  it  is  over 
my  dead  body,  scoundrel !  " 

A  bitter,  scornful  smile  flashed  across  the  young 
warrior's  face. 

"Then  I  judged  rightly:  you  are  the  slave  of 
the  Spaniards,"  he  muttered.  Then  addressing 
her  imperiously,  he  said:  "  Follow  me  at  once!  " 


88  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

She  understood  liim,  for  she  bowed  her  head 
and  replied  gently:  "  I  will  follow  you,  Condor!  " 

Amador  had  also  sprung  up,  and  surveyed  the 
strange  pair  with  an  astonished  gaze.  But  he 
had  but  a  brief  moment  for  considering.  Condor 
already  stood  before  him  and  said  in  a  firm  voice:' 
"  I  thank  you,  mracocha,  you  have  saved  the  life  of 
the  sister  of  the  Inca.  I  will  give  him  a  true  ac- 
count of  it,  and  he  can  reward  you  for  it  himself. 
I  do  not  thank  you  for  sx)aring  my  life ;  I  am  your 
enemy,  I  hate  you  all.  I  give  quarter  to  no  Span- 
iard, and  desire  none  in  return.  You  will  soon 
meet  me  on  the  battle-field ;  do  not  reckon  on  my 
thanks  then." 

"Very  good.  Condor,"  replied  Amador.  "I 
will  not  go  out  of  your  way.  I  will  seek  you  out 
from  the  midst  of  your  warriors;"  and  taj^ping 
the  handle  of  his  sword  so  that  the  metal  rang 
loudly,  he  cried:  "Know  that  SjDain's  knights 
have  never  sounded  the  signal  for  retreat  where 
this  sword  has  flashed  in  battle!  " 

"Very  good,  mracocha,^''  replied  the  Indian; 
"  we  are  done  with  each  other,  and  know  how  to 
behave  when  we  meet  again.  Now  I  shall  lead 
our  ruler's  sister  away,  and  you  will  let  us  go, 
and  not  follow  us,  for  know  that  Inca  Manco  has 
strictly  commanded  that  any  Sjianiard  found  on 


AVITII    PTZAIMIO    IN    PKllT'.  89 

this  path  shall  be  killed  on  the  spot,  and  I  am  the 
first  of  ten  thousand  Indians  each  of  whom  has 
taken  the  oath  to  obey  this  command  to  his  latest 
breath." 

Amador  smiled  ironically. 

"  Brave  Condor,"  said  he,  "  I  shall  let  you  go, 
but  not  from  fear  of  your  threats,  but  only  for  the 
sake  of  Inez,  to  whom  I  do.  not  grudge  her  golden 
liberty.  I  picked  you  up  when  you  lay  helpless 
beside  the  path,  and  relieved  you  of  the  burden 
beneath  which  you  had  sunken  down.  I  am  sorry 
for  helpless  foes,  and  your  dagger  is  helpless 
against  my  sword." 

"  You  are  mistaken ! "  cried  Condor  passion- 
ately, placing  himself  at  the  entrance  of  the  cave, 
and  near  the  edge  of  the  precipice.  "Inca  Con- 
dor is  never  helpless  in  this  wild,  rocky  country. 
Come  nearer,  draw  your  sword.  I  do  not  fear 
death.  But,  pale-face,  I  will  receive  your  blow, 
will  clasp  you  in  my  arms  and  press  you  to  my 
breast,  rolling  down  with  you  into  the  depths  from 
which  your  mangled  body  will  never  be  recovered." 

"Aclia!  "  he  then  cried,  scorning  to  address  her 
by  her  Spanish  name,  "are  you  still  a  faithful 
daughter  of  the  Incas ;  have  you  as  yet  not  denied 
the  gods  of  Peru ;  are  you  still  a  proud  daughter 
of  our  glorious  princely  race,  and  not  a  slave  of 


90  WITH   PIZARllO   IN   PERU. 

these  strange  robbers?  If  so,  I  command  you  in 
the  name  of  Inca  Manco  to  follow  me!  " 

Inez  stood  there,  wavering  and  uncertain.  But 
it  was  Amador  himself  who  urged  her  to  leave. 

"  Go  with  him,  Inez,"  he  said.  "  He  is  right. 
You  must  hurry.  Who  knows  whether  your 
tracks  are  not  already  discovered?  the  Spanish 
dogs  have  a  keen  scent.  The  sooner  you  reach  Vil- 
cabamba  the  greater  will  be  my  joy.  I  will  not 
follow  you.  But  indeed,  if  I  am  here  in  this  cave 
on  the  right  track  to  Vilcabamba,  I  will  find  my 
way  there,  and  with  God's  help  will  see  you  again 
in  Vilcabamba." 

"Do  not  do  this!  Promise  me!"  cried  Inez 
imploringly.  "  If  you  are  found  alone  on  the 
road,  they  will  kill  you  without  delay.  I  myself 
will  give  your  message  to  Inca  Manco,  and  as  truly 
as  my  name  among  the  Peruvians  is  Aclia,  I  will 
send  you  an  answer  here  to  this  cave,  in  two  weeks. 
Climb  no  higher.  Do  not  cross  the'mountains  be- 
hind which  we  will  disappear," 

"  Very  well,  I  promise  you,  Inez,"  he  replied. 
"  I  Avill  surely  be  here  in  two  weeks,  and  none 
of  my  fellow-countrymen  shall  learn  the  path  to 
the  cave  which  I  alone  know.     Farewell,  Inez!  " 

He  held  out  his  hand,  which  she  took  and  clasped 
convulsively  for  some  time. 


WITH    I'lZAlIIlO    IX    PERU.  91 

"Aclia,  we  have  no  time,  follow  me  I  "  said  Con- 
dor lioaiselv,  and  Aclia  tore  her  hand  awav  from 
Amatlor  and  set  out  upon  the  path  leading  up  the 
mountain. 

She  walked  before,  Condor  followed  her. 

From  time  to  time  the  Indian  soldier  gazed  back 
at  the  Spaniard.  But  Anuidor,  true  to  his  prom- 
ise, remained  standing  in  the  entrance  of  the  cave, 
and  gazed  after  the  two  fugitives. 

Soon  they  disappeared  behind  the  rocks.  Ama- 
dor's eyes  searched  the  higher  mountainous  re- 
gions, but  the  beloved  form  of  Inez  did  not  appear 
in  sight  again.  Amador  now  walked  up  the  moun- 
tain himself,  driven  on  by  curiosity,  but  he  soon 
reached  a  spot  where  two  i)aths  led  in  different 
directions,  one  up,  the  other  down  the  mountain. 
Which  one  had  the  fugitives  taken?  He  gazed 
up  the  mountain-side  and  down  into  the  valley. 
He  knew  well  that  one  path  led  from  here  to  Vil- 
cabamba;  old  Alcan  had  been  right,  but  Amador 
had  not  lifted  even  a  corner  of  the  veil  of  secrecy. 

He  returned  to  the  cave  and  prepared  to  de- 
scend into  the  valle3\  In  two  weeks,  or  before 
that,  he  would  be  here  again,  to  receive  Aclia's  se- 
cret message. 


VI. 

The  Indian  servants  waited  in  the  log  house  for 
their  master.     They  were  anxious  about  him. 

"What  shall  we  do  if  he  does  not  return?" 
said  one  of  them.  "  The  Spaniards  in  the  val- 
ley will  believe  that  we  have  killed  him.  We 
will  be  made  to  answer  for  his  absence  with  our 
lives." 

"AVho  knows  what  has  become  of  him?  Per- 
haps he  has  fallen  into  the  clutches  of  Inca  Manco," 
said  the  other.  "  Inca  Condor  finds  his  way  every- 
where. 'No  moantain  is  too  high,  no  ravine  too 
deep  for  him.  Perhaps  he  inhabits  this  region 
with  his  troops.  If  our  master  does  not  return 
we  must  flee  to  the  woods.  Perhaps  we  can  And 
our  way  to  our  emperor  in  Vilcabamba." 

But  he  did  return,  and  the  Indians  breathed 
more  freely. 

Thev  had  mnch  to  tell  him.  Messengers  had 
arrived  in  Huamanca  from  the  coast.  The  Span- 
iards were  in  a  state  of  the  greatest  excitement. 


WITH   PIZARRO    IN   PERT,  93 

Pizarro  was  reported  dead.  The  Indian  servants 
could  give  liini  no  more  accurate  news.  Alcan 
had  said  that  Amador  de  Cahd)rera  must  come 
to  Iluamanca  himself,  as  soon  as  possible. 

Amador  accordingly  went  there,  and  he  learned 
sad  and  most  unexpected  news.  The  conqueror  of 
Peru  was  indeed  dead ;  his  life  had  l)een  taken  by 
SiDanish  swords;  by  Spaniards  had  the  Emperor 
Atahualpa  been  avenged. 

Among  his  band  of  conquerors  who  spread 
themselves  over  the  ruins  of  the  citj^  of  the  Incas, 
fidelity  was  a  rare  virtue.  Thus  among  the  Sj^an- 
iards  in  Huamanca  there  was  no  great  indignation 
expressed  at  the  unfortunate  Pizarro's  fate. 

Alcan  gave  Amador  full  particulars.  It  ap- 
peared that  Fernando  Pizarro,  upon  the  eve  of 
his  return  to  Spain,  had  warned  his  brother  to 
"  beware  of  the  men  of  Chili,"  Almagro's  former 
partisans,  and  had  told  him  that  he  anticipated 
trouble  from  them.  But  Francisco  Pizarro  had 
made  light  of  this  warning.  He  had  not  endeav- 
ored to  make  friends  of  the  men,  as  Cortez  would 
have  done,  but  instead  treated  them  with  rude- 
ness and  harshness,  and  took  few  precautions  to 
secure  his  own  safety. 

Almagro's  son  thirsted  for  vengeance,  and 
gathered  about  him  a  number  of  confederates. 


94  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

Pizarro  liad  frequently  been  warned,  but  it  was 
useless. 

Finally  on  Sunday,  the  26tli  of  June,  1541,  Pi- 
zarro, feeling  somewhat  under  the  weather,  did  not 
go  to  mass.  After  mass,  a  number  of  the  chief 
inhabitants  of  Lima  called  to  pay  their  respects, 
but  hnally  departed,  leaving  him  alone  with  a  few 
friends.  Suddenly  he  heard  the  crash  of  arms  in 
the  corridor  without,  and  the  Indians  rushed  in  to 
give  him  notice  of  the  approaching  conspirators. 
He  dispatched  one  of  his  friends  to  bar  the  door 
of  his  apartments  against  them,  but  the  man, 
Francisco  de  Chares,  supposing  it  a  mere  riot,  and 
hoping  that  his  authority  would  check  it,  went 
out  into  the  corridor  and  found  the  conspirators 
coming  up  the  stairs.  They  at  once  attacked  him, 
killed  him,  and  threw  his  body  down  the  stairs. 
Pizarro  had  scarcely  time  to  fasten  on  his  armor. 
He  wrapped  his  cloak  around  his  left  arm,  seized 
his  sword  in  his  right  hand,  and  hurried  out  to 
meet  the  attacking  band.  With  all  the  strength 
of  his  youth  he  fell  upon  them  and  drove  them 
back  several  steps.  He  was  nearly  seventy  years 
old.  There  were  now  with  him  but  two  men  and 
two  boys,  pages.  With  this  feeble  aid  he  had  to 
contend  against  nineteen  soldiers.  Two  fell  be- 
neath the  blows  of  his  sword,  but  the  others,  as 


WITH   I»IZAUKO    IX    PEKtr.  9o 

the  conflict  threatened  to  be  a  long  one,  took  turns 
with  each  other,  so  that  they  might  not  too  soon 
become  weary. 

Finally  one  of  the  cons2)irators,  Racla  by  name, 
cried:  "  What  means  this  delay?  Let  us  make  an 
end  of  the  tyrant !  "  With  these  words  he  pushed 
one  of  the  men  ahead  of  him  against  Pizarro. 
The  latter  grasped  his  would-be  assassin,  and 
plunged  his  sword  into  him,  but  at  that  moment 
Rada  pierced  Pizarro's  throat.  With  the  cry, 
''  Jesus !  "  the  conqueror  of  Peru  fell  down.  With 
his  bloody  fincjers  the  dying  man  made  the  sio;n 
of  the  cross  upon  the  floor,  and  bent  his  head  to 
kiss  it,  but  at  this  moment  he  receiyed  a  blow 
which  put  an  end  to  his  sufferings. 

"  The  tyrant  has  fallen !  Justice  and  right  once 
more  reign  in  the  land,"  rang  out  in  the  streets  of 
Lima,  and  wrapped  in  a  linen  sheet,  in  the  dark- 
ness of  night,  the  famous  Pizarro  was  buried,  ac- 
com2:)anie(l  to  his  graye  only  by  an  old  servant 
and  a  few  negro  slaves.  And  no  one  uttered  a 
"  God  forgive  you !  "  for  the  dead  man. 

This  was,  in  brief,  the  account  which  Alcan  gave 
of  his  commander's  death.  Amador  was  greatly 
shocked. 

"And  what  will  happen  now?  AVlio  is  viceroy 
in  his  place? "  he  asked  Alcan. 


96  WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU. 

"The  conspirators  made  Almagro's  half-breed 
son  governor  of  Peru,"  replied  Alcan;  "but  his 
reign  was  a  short  one.  The  emj)eror,  it  seems, 
had  sent  Vaca  de  Castro  over  here  to  advise  with 
Pizarro,  and  had  authorized  him  to  x^roclaim  him- 
self governor  in  case  of  Pizarro's  death.  It  would 
seem  that  he  had  a  prophetic  inkling  of  this  death, 
would  it  not?  However  that  may  be,  De  Castro 
has  proclaimed  himself  governor,  and  Gonzalo  Pi- 
zarro,  who,  as  you  know,  is  acting  governor  of 
Quito,  has  tendered  his  allegiance  to  him.  Alma- 
gro  has  but  few  followers  now,  and  these  among 
the  lowest,  worst  class  of  Spaniards,  so  it  is  hoped 
that  it  will  not  be  long  before  peace  once  more 
reigns  among  the  S^mniards,  and  these  horrible 
civil  wars  are  at  an  end." 

This  last  was  joyful  news  to  Amador,  for  Yaco 
de  Castro  had,  he  further  learned,  issued  a  procla- 
mation of  free  pardon  to  all  rebels  who  would 
voluntarily  surrender  and  submit  themselves  to 
his  authority. 

Inca  Manco,  in  the  eyes  of  the  Spaniards,  was 
a  rebel,  and  the  new  viceroy  afforded  through  this 
proclamation  a  most  favorable  opportunity  for 
reconciliation.  If  this  fact  could  be  properly  rep- 
resented to  the  Inca,  might  he  not  be  induced  to 
surrender  to  Spanish  authority  ?    Might  not  peace 


WITH    I'IZAKKO    IX   VFAIU.  97 

yet  be  made  between  Indians  and  Spaniards? 
Miglit  they  not  live  together  in  unity  in  this  beau- 
tiful country,  which  was  nioi'e  than  large  and  rich 
enough  to  afford  them  all  a  comfortable  living? 
And  if  peace  were  once  made  surely  there  need  be 
no  further  obstacles  to  his  union  with  Aclia.  Her 
brother  would  relent,  would  no  longer  look  upon 
him  as  a  "  hated  Spaniard"  should  he  be  the  one 
to  effect  this  so  desirable  peace.  Amador  there- 
fore did  not  remain  long  in  Huamanca,  but  re- 
turned to  his  log  hut.  Alcan  had  received  his 
friend  hospitably,  had  showed  him  all  jiossible 
friendly  attentions,  and  the  greatest  ai)parently 
consisted  in  giving  him  a  negro  slave,  who  Avas  to 
prove  far  more  faithful  and  reliable  than  all  In- 
dians. Amador  could  not  refuse  the  gift,  for  he 
feared  that  by  doing  so  he  might  awaken  Alcan's 
suspicion  once  more,  and  suspicion  which  he  now 
knew  to  be  so  well  justified.  He  took  leave  of  his 
friend,  and  set  out  for  the  mountains  with  the 
negro  and  the  Indians.  Alcan  gazed  after  him 
with  a  sly  expression  of  satisfaction. 

"My  Moor,  lago,  will  attend  to  his  part  finely," 
he  thought.  And  the  Moor  did  attend  to  his 
part  well,  but  not  so  slyly  that  Amador  did  not 
become  suspicious.     The  negro  watched  his  new 

master,  and  when  the  latter  went  into  the  moun- 

7 


98  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

tains  the  negro  crept  after  him,  Amador  at  once 
became  certain  that  Alcan  had  given  him  the  slave 
to  serve  as  a  sj^y  upon  him. 

This  slave  was  to  find  out  the  secret  path,  so 
that  Alcan  might  penetrate  with  his  robber  band 
to  the  valley  of  Vilcabamba.  Amador  now  trem- 
bled for  Inez'  fate.  He  did  not  let  the  negro  per- 
ceive that  he  had  discovered  his  purpose,  but  re- 
solved to  confuse  him,  and  not  betray  to  him  the 
way  to  the  cave.  But  meanwhile  he  racked  his 
brains  to  discover  a  means  of  ridding  himself  of 
the  troublesome  spy,  for  it  lacked  but  eight  days 
to  the  appointed  day  when  he  was  to  receive  in 
the  cave,  Aclia's  message,  and  he  must  reach  the 
cave  in  time  and  unobserved. 

He  led  the  negro  over  that  confusing  route  by 
which  he  had  formerly  vainly  sought  the  pass 
over  the  mountains,  and  he  saw,  with  delight,  that 
the  slave  had  been  diverted  to  the  false  track, 
that  he  remained  absent  longer  and  longer  each 
day,  probably  trying  to  scale  the  cliffs  and  moun- 
tain sides,  always  returning  home  cross  and  grum- 
bling. 

Several  days  before  the  time  appointed,  Ama- 
dor changed  his  manner  of  treating  the  negro.  He 
no  longer  went  into  the  mountains,  or  on  a  hunt- 
ing expedition ;  he  remained  in  the  log  hut,  and 


WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU.  99 

began  improving  it.  He  had  a  garden  laid  out, 
and  was  never  satisfied  with  the  negro's  work. 
He  scolded  him,  and  threatened  to  ])eat  him  and 
send  him  back  to  Alcan. 

The  man,  although  a  slave,  defied  his  master, 
and  said  that  Alcan  had  always  been  satisfied  with 
him.  He  had  performed  the  most  important  ser- 
vices for  his  former  master,  and  he  would  not  be 
beaten,  for  he  was  no  Indian;  he  would  rather 
return  to  Alcan. 

Amador  made  no  reply  to  this,  but  when  on  the 
twelfth  day  after  his  strange  meeting  with  Aclia, 
this  scene  was  repeated,  he  ordered  the  negro  to 
be  bound,  and  the  next  morning  commanded  the 
two  Indians  to  escort  the  captive  to  Alcan  in  Hu- 
amanca.  They  were  to  tell  Alcan  that  he,  Amador, 
would  follow  soon  himself,  and  until  then  this 
defiant  fellow  was  to  be  kept  under  guard. 

About  noon,  the  Indians  left  the  log  house  with 
their  prisoner,  and  when  they  had  disappeared 
from  sight  in  the  forest  Amador  breathed  more 
freely,  got  together  some  provisions,  and  hurried 
to  the  cave.  He  found  it  empty,  but  upon  a  stone 
prejecting  slightly  from  the  Avail,  and  upon  which 
Aclia  had  sat  that  day,  he  found  a  small  bundle. 
He  raised  it,  and  opened  it  with  beating  heart. 
A  white  scarf  of  the  finest  vicuna  wool  and  a  lit- 


100  WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PEEU. 

tie  bundle  of  cords  were  the  contents.  This  bun- 
dle of  colored  cords  Avith  knots  tied  at  various 
distances,  and  the  whole  fastened  to  a  stick, 
formed  a  kind  of  Indian  writing  which  no 
Spaniard  was  able  to  decipher.  It  was  called 
Mjppu. 

Amador  stared  at  the  Mppu  with  a  disappointed, 
pained  exj^ression.  Ah,  if  this  were  a  letter  to  him 
from  A  clia  it  was  unreadable  to  him.  These  knots 
and  colors  were  hieroglyphics  which  baffled  the 
skill  of  all  students.  Amador  had  no  key  to  this 
writing,  and  threw  the  "  letter  "  down  in  vexation. 
His  former  pupil  could  write  Spanish,  that  he  well 
knew.  Why  had  she  not  written  to  him?  Then 
he  remembered  that  in  Vilcabamba  they  probably 
had  neither  pen  nor  ink. 

Now  he  unfolded  the  fine  little  scarf,  and  be- 
hold his  eyes  lit  up,  for  this  shawl  had  been  has- 
tily embroidered,  embroidered  with  dainty  red 
characters,  and  these  characters  were  letters,  and 
the  letters  formed  words,  and  the  words  a  letter 
in  the  Spanish  language.  "Never  will  Inca 
Manco  make  peace  with  the  Spaniards.  The 
blood  of  the  Incas  which  has  been  shed  cries  for 
vengeance.  Between  you  and  me  stand  my  poor 
peojjle.  The  Icippu  is  the  Inca's  reward  to  you 
for  saving  my  life.     Carry  it  with  you ;  no  Indian 


WITH    PIZARRO    IN    PERU.  lO] 

who  sees  it  will  raise  a  hand  a^rainst  \  ou.     Fare- 
well  forever." 

It  was  a  sad  letter.  Amador  folded  it  up  and 
put  it  in  his  pocket,  then  seated  himself,  resting 
Ids  head  in  his  hand. 

He  pondered  for  a  long,  long  time. 

Farewell  forever!  No,  that  must  not  be.  Not 
now,  when  the  hated,  terrible  Pizarro  rested  in 
the  cold  ground,  now  when  better  times  were 
dawning  for  Peru.  He  must  go  to  Inca  Manco, 
he  must  speak  with  him,  must  try  to  persuade 
him  to  make  peace  with  the  Spaniards.  He  rose, 
and  climbed  up  the  mountain  side  to  the  rock  be- 
hind which  Condor  and  Aclia  had  disappeared. 
He  fastened  the  Tilppu  to  his  breast  and  resolved 
to  seek  the  pass  in  the  mountains,  happen  what 
might.  He  ascended  no  longer,  but  w^ent  further 
down  into  the  valley,  further  and  further  down. 
He  came  now  to  a  stretch  of  land  covered  with 
loose  stones  and  gravel ;  this  seemed  to  be  of  con- 
siderable extent,  and  at  the  opposite  side  the 
mountains  ascended  again  steeply.  He  mechani- 
cally turned  to  the  right,  and  went  to  the  edge  of 
a  ravine.  Beneath  his  firm  tread  the  stones 
crunched,  they  seemed  to  be  moving  under  his 
feet,  and  now  and  then  one  would  roll  down  into 
the  ravine,  dragging  others  with  it  perhaps,  with 


102  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

a  loud  crash.  But  Amador  did  not  turn  back. 
He  leaned  on  his  mountain  stick,  carefully  chose 
the  safest-looking  stones  to  set  his  foot  ujoon,  and 
so  advanced  step  by  step.  Suddenly,  as  he  was 
looking  for  a  firm  footing,  something  shone  like 
gold  between  the  stones.  Amador  looked  again; 
no,  he  was  not  mistaken,  it  was  gold,  bright  gold, 
and  not  in  a  rough  state,  but  wrought  by  human 
hands,  a  gold  bracelet,  an  ornament  in  this  deso- 
late wilderness.  AVho  could  have  brought  it  here? 
Surely  no  bird  or  chamois,  men  must  go  to  and 
fro  over  these  stones;  he  had  not  gone  astray,  he 
was  upon  a  road  in  these  wild  mountains. 

With  joyous  excitement  he  raised  the  bracelet, 
and  his  astonishment  increased  as  he  inspected  it, 
for  it  was  of  artistic  workmanship,  a  masterjnece 
of  the  old  Peruvian  goldsmiths.  It  was  in  the 
form  of  a  serpent  with  two  eyes  of  emeralds.  He 
knew  this  bracelet  well,  he  knew  to  whom  it 
belonged.  Aclia  had  always  worn  it,  and  two 
weeks  ago,  in  the  cave,  he  had  seen  this  bracelet 
on  her  arm.     He  uttered  an  exclamation  of  joy. 

Ho!  He  was  on  the  right  track!  He  gave  a 
cry  of  joy  which  echoed  back  from  the  mountains. 

Bat  he  was  forced  to  restrain  his  joy,  for  the 
stones  under  his  feet  were  slipping  down  the 
mountain-side,  and  he  hurried  on  to  secure  firmer 


WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PERU.  103 

footing.  Soon  lie  had  left  the  dangerous  part  be- 
hind him,  and  j^aiised  to  look  around.  He  must 
descend  even  further,  and  yet  it  seemed  to  him 
that  he  was  surely  on  a  wrong  track,  for  the  moun- 
tains were  so  steep  and  high  that  it  would  be  im- 
possible to  climb  them.  He  pushed  on  around  a 
projecting  rock,  and  when  he  had  left  this  behind 
him  he  suddenly  had  a  view  of  a  new,  wholly  un- 
familiar mountain  panorama.  Two  huge  moun- 
tains towered  before  him,  and  between  these 
yawned  a  deep  ravine.  His  way  could  lead  only 
through  this,  there  could  be  no  doubt  of  it. 

He  fastened  Aclia's  gold  bracelet  to  the  cords 
of  the  Jilppu,  so  that  it  shone  on  his  breast  like 
an  order,  swung  his  stick  gayly,  and  calmly  walked 
on. 

Soon  he  entered  the  ravine.  It  was  the  work  of 
a  large  stream  or  a  glacier,  which  had  probably 
once  rushed  down  from  the  mountains.  It  led  on 
between  the  mountains  like  a  broad  road,  ascend- 
ing gradually  but  steadily.  This  was  a  natural 
pass  leading  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain 
range.  The  view  was  narrowed  by  the  huge 
masses  of  rock  towering  above  this  pass;  they 
shut  out  all  glimpses  of  the  region  through 
which  he  w^as  pressing  on.  Almost  perpendicular, 
they  rose  at  each  side,  and  often  in  front  of  him. 


104  WITH   PZIARRO   IN   PERU. 

appearing  to  bar  Ms  way  completely.  But  he 
pushed  on  perse veringly,  and  each  time  found 
that  this  aj^parently  insurmountable  barrier  was 
but  caused  by  the  abrujjt  turns  of  the  ravine. 
After  a  long  walk  he  finally  reached  the  summit 
of  the  mountain.  The  sun  was  setting,  tinging 
with  gold  the  snow-capped  mountain  summits 
around.  A  new  ravine  lay  before  him,  but  the 
scene  was  quite  different  from  any  he  had  yet  seen. 
The  mountain  slopes  here  presented  a  far  dif- 
ferent aspect  from  the  western  slopes,  with  which 
he  had  become  familiar  during  his  life  in  the  log 
hut.  They  were  not  nearly  so  bare.  Here  and 
there,  through  the  gaps  which  afforded  a  view  of 
the  valley,  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  green  hills  cov- 
ered with  meadows  or  forests.  These  were  the  east- 
ern slopes  of  the  Andes ;  in  these  regions  are  the 
numerous  sources  and  springs  of  the  gigantic  Ama- 
zon. This  i:)art  of  Peru  is  the  perpetually  moist 
and  green  region  which  borders  upon  the  almost 
imi)enetrable  j)rimeval  forests  of  South  America, 
which  even  as  yet,  in  these  days  of  explorations, 
are  but  little  known.  But  this  brilliant  verdure, 
this  land,  evidently  so  fertile  and  adapted  to  graz- 
ing, as  it  lay  before  him  lit  up  by  the  last  rays  of 
the  setting  sun,  was  for  Amador  an  unmistakable 
sign  that  he  was  nearing  the  fertile  plains  of  Vil- 


WITH    PIZAKKO   IN   PERU.  105 

cabamba,  and  tl)is  ronfidenre  made  his  lioart  beat 
more  rapidly. 

At  present  he  was,  to  be  sure,  in  a  wild,  rocky 
region.  He  entered  a  new  ravine.  It  was  not  so 
deep  as  those  on  the  western  slope,  but  tall  rocky 
walls  shut  it  in  on  both  sides,  and  it  was  so 
narrow  that  three  men  could  scarcely  have  walked 
abreast.  This  ravine,  twisting  like  a  serpent,  and 
descending  now  gently,  now  terribly  steeply,  was 
in  fact  a  natural  fortress  to  the  valley  of  Vilca- 
bamba.  Should  her  defenders,  armed  only  with 
stones,  station  themselves  upon  the  rocks  at  each 
side,  no  army  in  the  world,  however  brave  its  com- 
mander, could  pass  through  this  ravine.  A  terri- 
ble death  would  surely  be  the  fate  of  all  attackers. 

And  the  Indians  seemed  to  feel  safe  in  their 
plains.  No  one  was  in  sight.  Let  Amador  scan 
the  rocks  as  he  would,  he  nowhere  caught  sight  of 
the  feather  head-dress  of  a  sentinel.  Deep  silence 
prevailed  in  the  gloomy  passageway,  not  even 
broken  by  the  cry  of  a  bird,  or  the  chirp  of  a 
cricket;  even  the  wanderer's  steps  awakened  no 
echo,  for  he  advanced  noiselessly  over  a  thick  car- 
pet of  moss. 

The  reflection  of  the  sun  tinged  only  the  lofty 
mountain-tops  of  the  Andes,  deep  shadows  already 
covered  the  valleys.     Twilight  had  descended  as 


106  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

Amador  reached  tlie  end  of  the  ravine,  and,  terri- 
bly weary,  he  leaned  against  the  rocks  and  sur- 
veyed the  landscajDe  before  him.  Directly  before 
him  extended  a  thick  forest,  but  the  mountain 
descended  steeply  here,  and  so  Amador  could  look 
over  the  tops  of  the  huge  old  trees  into  the  dis- 
tance. He  sn,w  shapeless  masses,  half  veiled  by 
white  mists  arising  from  a  stream;  then  the  fields 
of  the  Indians,  laid  out  as  regularly  as  the  squares 
of  a  checker-board,  and  columns  of  smoke  rising 
in  the  air,  betrayed  to  him  the  sites  of  villages. 
A  magical  idyllic  peace  rested  over  the  lonely 
valley,  which  up  to  this  time  had  never  been  des- 
ecrated by  war  and  pillage,  because  no  Spaniard 
had  set  eyes  upon  it. 

Yes,  that  was  Vilcabamba,  as  lovely  and  at- 
tractive as  Amador  had  fancied  it  in  his  dreams. 
Were  his  dreams,  these  wonderful  dreams,  to  be 
fulfilled?    Could  it  be  possible? 

However  great  his  eagerness,  he  could  not 
reach  the  valley  to-day.  He  could  not  find  his 
way  in  the  dark,  and  besides  he  was  too  weary 
for  the  long  march.  He  therefore  resolved  to  seek 
a  suitable  resting-place  for  the  night  in  the  woods. 

In  these  high  valleys,  when  the  sun  sets  the  air 
becomes  cool,  even  cold,  and  this  chilly  feeling  is 
intensified  by  the  dampness.     Amador  shivered 


THE    INCA  S    KIIM'U. 


WITH   riZAKRO   IN   PERU.  107 

now,  for  he  liad  been  motionless  for  some  time. 
He  drew  his  muntle  more  closely  about  him  and 
started  at  a  rapid  pace  to  enter  the  woods  which 
lay  close  before  him. 

Scarcely  had  he  advanced  a  few  steps  when  he 
suddenly  heard  a  rustling  around  him.  Before 
he  could  recover  from  his  surprise,  he  saw  himself 
surrounded  by  a  crowd  of  Indian  Avarriors,  who 
seemed  to  have  sprung  up  from  the  very  ground, 
and  now  with  a  fierce  yell  raised  their  weapons 
and  formed  a  compact  circle  around  him. 

Amador  started  back,  but  only  from  surprise, 
not  terror.  He  calmly  stood  motionless,  and  gazed 
at  the  Indians.  From  his  helmet  adorned  with 
gold,  and  his  silver-plated  armor,  he  at  once  distin- 
guished the  caj^tain.  He  unfastened  the  Inca's 
klppu  from  his  breast,  and  held  it  out  to  this 
captain. 

The  latter  apj^roached  Amador,  and  as  he  recog- 
nized the  token  in  the  fast-increasing  twilight  he 
cried  in  astonishment,  "The  Inca's  kippu,  and 
Aclia's  bracelet !  " 

Cries  of  astonishment  came  from  the  circle  of 
warriors;  the  raised  weapons  were  lowered,  and 
the  stranger,  although  a  Spaniard,  was  greeted  in 
a  cordial  and  respectful  manner  by  the  leader  of 
the  band  of  soldiers. 


108  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

"  I  wish  to  go  to  Inca  Manco,"  said  Amador. 
"Can  you  tell  me  whether  it  is  a  long  distance 
from  here  to  him? " 

The  captain  looked  at  him  in  surprise, 

"  It  is  quite  a  long  distance,"  he  replied.  "  You 
will  have  a  good  half  day's  march  before  you,  and 
night  is  but  little  suited  for  such  journeys.  Come 
with  me  and  rest  in  our  quarters.  I  will  inform 
Inca  Manco  of  your  arrival.  For  without  his  per- 
mission I  cannot  let  you  proceed.  You  are  my 
prisoner,  but  in  three  hours  his  decision  will  be 
here." 

Amador  was  not  astonished  at  the  apparent  con- 
tradiction concerning  the  distance  of  Inca  Manco's 
residence  from  this  x)lace.  The  Inca's  posts,  this 
institution  of  quick  runners,  was  well  known  to 
him. 

These  tscliascis,  or  post  runners,  were  chosen 
from  the  most  fleet-footed  and  reliable  young  men. 
They  wore  a  uniform,  most  cleverly  planned,  which 
did  not  hinder  their  running  in  the  slightest,  and 
yet  enabled  them  to  be  distinguished  from  all 
other  inhabitants  of  the  realm.  Whoever  met  a 
tschasci  was  bound  to  render  him  any  necessary 
service.  The  greater  part  of  the  messages  they 
delivered  by  word  of  mouth,  but  were  bound  to 
consider  everything  communicated  to  them  as  an 


WITH   PIZAUIIO   IX    PERU.  lO'J 

official  secret.  Death  was  the  piinisliiuent  for  any 
breach  of  this  conlideiice  reposed  iu  them.  Span- 
iards also  knew  that  these  tuchascls  guarded  their 
secrets,  even  when  not  of  a  political  nature,  so 
strictly  that  they  could  be  induced  neither  by 
gifts  nor  by  threats  to  divulge  the  smallest  of 
them. 

In  the  old  Inca  kingdom,  along  the  principal 
roads  post  houses  were  established  at  distances 
of  about  six  kilometres,  small  buildings  thatched 
with  straw  and  serving  as  inns  for  the  tschascis. 
In  times  of  peace  four,  in  times  of  war  eight,  ten, 
or  more  of  these  runners  were  stationed  in  each 
little  house,  at  least  half  of  whom  must  be  ready 
for  duty  night  or  day.  While  two  or  more  slept 
and  rested,  two  stood  motionless,  ready  for  duty, 
gazing  up  and  down  the  road,  on  the  lookout  for 
a  signal  of  fire  or  smoke,  which  was  sent  up  by 
the  nearest  post  house  as  notice  that  a  messenger 
had  left  there.  As  soon  as  the  waiting  man  per- 
ceived this  signal,  he,  on  his  part,  at  once  lighted 
a  torch  of  wood  kept  in  readiness,  to  inform  the 
nearest  station  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  then 
ran  to  meet  his  expected  comrade.  AVlien  he  met 
him,  he  either  took  the  bundle  which  the  other 
carried,  or  learned  his  verbal  message.  Both  ran 
along  side  by  side  until  the  fresh  messenger  had 


110  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

learned  the  message  word  for  word,  and  could  re- 
peat it  fluently. 

This  institution  worked  so  finely  that  the  Inca, 
in  his  capital  distant  five  hundred  kilometres  from 
the  coast,  could  eat  fresh  sea  fish. 

Especially  important  events,  such  as  hostile  at- 
tacks, revolts,  and  the  like,  were  telegraphed  the 
Inca  from  station  to  station  by  particular  fire 
signals. 

The  cai^tain  had  suddenly  disappeared  from  the 
side  of  the  Sj^aniard ;  he  was  certainly  hastening 
to  the  tschasci  to  give  him  a  commission.  Ama- 
dor meanwhile  walked  along  a  forest  path,  sur- 
rounded by  the  Indian  cohort.  After  a  few  min- 
utes' walk  they  reached  a  clearing  where  stood  a 
fortified  guard-house  and  a  post  station.  Before 
the  latter  glowed  a  fire,  announcing  to  the  next 
station  the  departure  of  a  messenger.  Three  other 
fires  had  already  burned  out,  and  gave  out  but  a 
faint  glow.  Three  messengers,  therefore,  had  al- 
ready in  the  last  few  hours  been  dispatched  to 
the  Inca,  and  this  ruler  knew  at  that  very  mo- 
ment, that  a  Spaniard  apj)roached  Yilcabamba  by 
the  secret  path. 

"  Did  Aclia  and  Inca  Condor  arrive  safely  by 
this  way,  fourteen  days  ago? "  Amador  asked  the 
captain,  when  the  latter  again  drew  near. 


WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU.  Ill 

"  They  did,"  was  the  answer. 

"Then  send  her  this  bracelet,"  said  Amador, 
lianding  it  to  tlie  Indian,  "  and  tell  hei-  that  Ama- 
dor has  come  to  speak  with  Inca  Manco."' 

The  Indian  took  the  bracelet,  wrapped  it  in  a 
cloth,  and  tied  it  np  securely  with  a  red  cord. 
Amador  smiled,  he  knew  what  that  meant.  The 
package  was  to  be  delivered  only  into  Inca  Man- 
co's  own  hands,  and  the  message  repeated  to  him 
alone.  The  captain  trusted  neither  the  stranger 
nor  Aclia.  Was  she  considered  in  Vilcabamba  a 
friend  of  the  Spaniards?  Well,  let  the  messengers 
run  through  the  forests  and  valleys  now.  Amador 
sought  one  of  the  camps,  wrapped  himself  in 
blankets  and  stretched  himself  on  the  ground  to 
sleep.  He  fell  asleep  at  once,  for  he  was  not  anx- 
ious concerning  his  fate.  Inca  Manco,  on  the  con- 
trary, in  liis  distant  capital,  assuredly  did  not 
sleep:  the  announcement  of  the  approach  of  a 
Sjianiard  must  have  caused  him  the  greatest  ex- 
citement. Amador  had  just  fallen  asleep  when 
there  was  great  commotion  in  front  of  the  guard- 
house, and  the  sound  of  heavy  men's  steps,  but  all 
this  did  not  waken  the  sleeper.  Five  hundred 
warriors  had  arrived,  at  the  Inca's  command,  iu 
the  threatened  part  of  the  valley,  and  other  regi- 
ments were  held  in  readiness  in  other  parts  of  the 


112 


WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 


land.  And  during  the  whole  night  the  tschascis 
came  and  Avent  from  the  guard-house  in  the  ravine 
to  the  capital,  and  from  capital  to  guard-house. 
This  passing  to  and  fro  ceased  only  with  the  dawn ; 
but  with  dawn  the  five  hundred  soldiers  filed  into 
the  ravine  and  occupied  the  narrow  pass,  while 
they  stationed  themselves  high  up  on  the  rocks, 
and  at  the  turns  of  the  ravine ;  and  far  beyond, 
even  to  the  entrance  of  the  eastern  ravine  from 
the  stony  stretch  of  country,  numerous  spies 
were  sent  forward.  Amador  kneAV  nothing  of  all 
this;  he  slept  the  sleep  of  the  just,  to  the  astonish- 
ment of  the  Indians.  The  Inca's  Mppu  protected 
him,  and  was  the  most  excellent  pillow  for  him. 


VII. 


Shortly  before  sunrise  the  captain  came  uj) 
to  Amador's  resting-place. 

"  Stand  up !  "  said  he,  after  waking  the  stranger. 
"  Inca  Manco  commands  you  to  aj)pear  before 
him." 

"When  Amador  ai)peared  in  front  of  the  door  of 
the  guard-house,  he  saw  that  he  was  to  make  his 
entry  into  Yilcabamba  in  all  honor,  for  bearers 
with  a  litter  waited  for  him,  and  he  was  greeted 
respectfully  by  the  bystanders. 

So  he  allowed  himself  to  be  carried  through 
tlie  woods,  the  Inca 's  Tiipp u  upon  his  breast.  Fifty 
warriors  accompanied  him,  marching  in  front  of, 
behind,  and  at  both  sides  of  the  litter.  They  walked 
in  such  close  ranks  that  it  was  impossible  to  con- 
sider them  a  mere  guard  of  honor. 

As  soon  as  Amador  had  left  the  forest  he  en- 
tered a  region  in  which  a  remnant  of  the  old  Inca 
empire  in  its  original  purity  was  still  to  be  seen. 
Here  and  there  rose  villages,  built  on  the  eastern 


114  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PERU. 

slopes  of  hills  or  mountains,  so  that  the  inhabi- 
tants might  pay  their  customary  homage  to  their 
divinity  the  sun,  as  it  rose.  In  every  village 
there  was  a  square  or  market  place  in  the  middle, 
from  which  the  streets  started  in  all  four  direc- 
tions. Many  houses  were  provided  with  towers, 
and  each  one  presented  the  appearance  of  a  small 
fort.  There  were  large  and  small  houses,  built  of 
clay  and  surrounded  by  walls.  The  residences  of 
the  common  people  did  not  present  the  pleasant 
appearance  of  our  country  houses,  for  they  had 
no  windows,  and  air  and  light  were  admitted  only 
through  the  door. 

The  villages  were  surrounded  by  well-cultivated 
fields  in  which  maize,  cinoa,  potatoes,  and  various 
kinds  of  vegetables  Avere  planted.  Amador  could 
also  catch  glimpses  of  flocks  of  sheep  pasturing, 
for  these  high  plateaus  were  well  suited  for  the 
raising  of  llamas.  But  these  so  useful  llamas 
were  not  the  property  of  the  shepherds;  they  all 
belonged  to  the  sun,  that  is,  to  the  temples  or  to 
the  Inca.  The  wool  which  they  yielded  was  spun 
and  woven  for  the  state,  and  the  material  divided 
among  the  different  provinces,  or  stored  in  maga- 
zines for  future  use. 

Even  the  very  land  which  the  Peruvian  tilled 
did  not  belong  to  him.     This  too  was  state  proj)- 


WITH    I'IZAKItO    IN    PERU.  115 

erty,  and  was  divided  among  the  different  com- 
munities. Each  inhabitant  was  ol)liged  to  culti- 
vate it,  and  deliver  the  crops  to  be  divided  by  the 
government. 

The  hand  woikers,  the  smiths,  potters,  weavers, 
and  the  like,  also  worked  under  the  state's  sui^er- 
vision.  Three  months  in  the  year  each  must  work 
for  the  common  welfare,  the  rest  of  the  time  was 
left  for  him  to  cultivate  the  fields  which  were 
specially  assigned  to  him  for  the  nourishment  of 
his  family.  At  the  time  when  the  S^ianiards  en- 
tered the  land,  there  were  neither  idlers  nor  beg- 
gars in  the  Inca's  realm.  Money  was  unknown 
there.  Each  must  i)ay  taxes  by  work,  must  work 
part  of  the  year  for  the  good  of  the  country,  and 
in  case  of  need  he  received  suitiible  assistance. 

There  was  neither  a  parliament  nor  an  assembly 
in  Peru.  The  Inca's  power  was  unlimited.  He 
was  ruler  over  all,  but  held  to  the  traditions  of 
his  ancestors,  who  had  long  ages  before  made  such 
prudent  laws. 

Everything  went  as  if  on  wheels  here;  nor  was 
mental  cultivation  forgotten.  The  most  diligent 
research  cannot  discover  in  how  far  the  Peruvians' 
klppits  took  the  place  of  writing,  but  it  is  certain 
that  the  Inca  had  schools  in  which  children  of 
scholars,  or  amautas  as  they  were  called,  were 


IIG  WITH   riZARUO    IN   PERU. 

taught.  The  history  of  their  people  and  the  laws 
made  by  the  Inca  were  learned  by  heart,  often  in 
the  form  of  poems. 

But  well  ordered  as  the  Inca's  land  appeared  at 
first  sight,  it  was  nevertheless  weak  in  principle. 
The  state's  supervision  of  everything,  the  working 
for  a  certain  living,  must  weaken  the  strength  of 
will. 

The  Peruvian  Indians  were  accustomed  to 
obey  and  to  work  like  machines.  The  energy 
which  Euroi^eans  must  display  if  they  wish  to 
win  a  comj)etency  was  wholly  lacking  in  them. 
The  Inca  was  the  head  of  the  state,  the  citizen 
was  wholly  lacking  in  resolution  and  ambition, 
and  thus  this  colossus  was  weak  against  an  active 
outside  enemy;  a  handful  of  adventurers  could 
ruin  it  in  a  short  time. 

The  valleys  of  Vilcabamba  formed  only  a  small 
principality,  an  insignificant  remnant  of  the  old, 
powerful  Inca  realm,  but  the  palaces  of  the 
Incas  in  this  small  princij)ality  were  magnificent. 
They  had  not  been  built  recently,  since  the  Inca 
Manco  had  withdrawn  to  these  inaccessible  lolains 
and  valleys  from  the  Spaniards.  These  forests 
and  plains  had  been  distinguished  since  early 
times  for  their  great  abundance  of  game;  here 
the  Incas  held  their  magnificent  hunts,  and  in 


wnii   i'FZAi;i:<»  iv  vrnv.  117 

order  lu  nuike  their  stay  agreeable  they  liad  built 
beautiful  palaces  here. 

After  a  march  for  hours  Aiuador  approached 
one  of  these  palaces.  Upon  a  hill,  whose  slopes 
were  laid  out  as  an  extensive  pleasure  garden, 
stood  the  large  residence  of  the  Inca.  Near  it 
was  a  temple,  and  a  long,  low  building,  surrounded 
by  a  high  wall,  the  cloister  of  the  virgins  of  the 
sun,  who,  like  the  Roman  vestals,  attended  to  the 
.  ervice  of  the  gods,  and  also  must  spin  and  weave 
for  the  Inca,  his  family,  and  his  court. 

Amador  had  already  seen  in  Peru  much  larger 
palaces,  temples,  and  cloisters,  but  they  had  been 
deserted,  plundered,  robbed  of  their  ornaments, 
and  presented  a  desolate  appearance.  Here  as 
yet  everything  was  in  order,  used  and  inhabited ; 
here  the  rarest  and  most  costly  adornments  were 
to  be  seen,  and  here  Peruvian  life  flourished  in  its 
old,  strange  form. 

How  astonished  was  Amador  as  he  was  carried 
through  the  entrance  into  the  pleasure  garden! 
Here  there  were  not  only  excellently  tended  trees 
and  flower-beds,  but  beautiful  fountains  with  fig- 
ures of  all  kinds  made  of  gold  and  silver;  and  the 
springs  which  fed  these  fountains  lay  high  up 
among  the  mountains  and  their  water  was  brought 
to  the  pleasure  garden  by  aqueducts  and  pipes. 


118  WITH   PIZAREO   Iisr   PERtT. 

The  winding  paths  were  smooth  and  beautifully 
kept,  thick-foliaged  trees  cast  an  inviting  shade, 
and  from  the  green  shrubbery  peeped  golden  and 
silver  statues  representing  men  and  animals. 

This  was  a  i^leasure  garden  such  as  Amador  had 
never  before  in  his  life  seen,  and  which  cast  the 
splendor  of  the  royal  gardens  of  Europe  deeply 
into  the  shade. 

Amador  was  not  carried  into  the  palace.  His 
litter  was  set  down  before  the  door  of  a  small  gar- 
den house.  This  was  the  residence  assigned  to 
him  by  Inca  Manco. 

Amador  rose  to  look  at  his  new  home,  and  who 
should  meet  him  in  the  doorway  but  Inca  Condor! 

"  Be  greeted  in  the  name  of  Inca  Manco,  inra- 
cocha,''  said  he  with  icy  coldness.  "  He  pardons 
you  for  breaking  the  bounds  set  for  Spaniards. 
He  magnanimously  spares  your  life,  but  you  are 
his  prisoner;  you  must  not  leave  this  house  with 
out  his  permission.  If  you  do,  your  head  will  be 
laid  at  your  feet.     I  am  ordered  to  guard  you." 

"  I  know  very  well,  Condor,"  replied  Amador, 
"that  Inca  Manco  is  lord  of  Vilcabamba,  and  I 
will  submit  to  his  commands.  May  I  ask  when 
he  will  receive  me?" 

"  Wait  until  you  are  summoned,"  replied  Con- 
dor shortly. 


WITH    PIZAIJRO   IN   PERU.  119 

"  That  is  indeed  no  hospitable  reception,"  cried 
Amador,  '"  May  I  not  at  least  speak  with  my 
friend,  A(;lia?" 

A  scornful  smile  crossed  the  Indian's  face. 

"  You  will  have  to  wait,  Amador,  for  she  will 
receive  no  man  now.  But  in  a  few  days  you  will 
see  her.     1  invite  you  to  my  wedding  with  Aclia." 

Amador  was  silent.  He  had  come  too  late.  He 
went  into  his  new  home,  and  waited  here  until  he 
should  be  summoned  by  Inca  Manco.  He  had 
made  a  mistake,  that  he  now  perceived.  He  had 
not  only  placed  himself  in  the  power  of  Inca 
Manco,  but  also  in  that  of  his  fiercest  enemy, 
Inca  Condor. 

The  fiercest  hatred  shone  in  the  eyes  of  the  In- 
dian commander;  his  heart  was  filled  with  the  de- 
sire to  ruin  the  Spaniard  who  was  also  his  rival. 

Amador  was  now  completely  powerless  against 
his  enemy;  he  must  endure  his  fate  patiently, 
and  rely  solely  upon  God's  help. 


VIII. 


Inca  Condor  had  cliargeof  tlie  captive  only  as 
chief  general  of  Inca  Manco's  army.  He  could 
not  guard  him  personally.  For  this,  as  general 
minister  of  war,  and  member  of  the  imperial  fam- 
ily, he  had  no  time;  he  had  many  other  affairs  of 
state  to  attend  to  which  were  far  more  important 
than  guarding  a  solitary  guest. 

Amador's  real  guard  was  an  Indian  captain, 
Tux)ac  by  name,  a  calm,  elderlj^  man.  He  did  not 
glare  with  eyes  filled  with  hatred  at  the  Spaniard 
entrusted  to  his  care;  on  the  contrary,  he  was 
pleasant  and  courteous,  and  did  not  make  Amador 
feel  the  hardness  of  his  imprisonment.  Amador 
believed  that  the  captain  wished  to  steal  into  his 
confidence. 

"  No,"  replied  Tupac,  to  Amador's  questions  the 
next  morning.  "  Inca  Manco  will  not  receive  you 
to-day.     But  you  can  see  him  if  you  wish." 

"  I  have  seen  the  emperor  merely  at  a  distance 


WTTir    riZATIKO    IX    PKIUT.  12\ 

at  tlie  head  of  liis  troops,"  replied  Amador.  "  I 
slioiild  be  glad  to  have  a  near  view  of  liini." 

"  You  have  seen  him  as  the  leader  of  an  army," 
said  Tupac.  "  To-dtiy  an  opportunity  is  afforded 
you  of  seeing  him  as  the  first  workman  in  the 
Inca's  realm.  Come  with  me,  therefore,  and  take 
part  in  the  feast  of  the  planting  of  the  sacred 
field  of  collcampata.  Once  this  held  lay  in  the 
capital,  Cuzco.  Now,  since  we  were  forced  to  Hee 
from  there,  the  Inca  has  laid  out  a  new  conse- 
crated field  here,  in  which  the  lield  work  of  the 
year  is  to  be  begun." 

Amador  gladly  accepted  the  invitation. 

Tupac's  soldiers  donned  their  best  armor,  and 
marched  thither  with  the  captain  and  Amador, 
who  in  his  faded,  travel-stained  clothes,  which  had 
been  through  so  many  storms,  did  not  present  a 
very  favorable  contrast  to  the  gay  imperial  guard. 
But  he  was  a  white  man,  his  fair  skin  was  his 
inborn  gala  attire. 

"  Is  it  far?  "  asked  Amador. 

"  The  collcamimta  is  situated  directly  behind 
the  pleasure  garden,"  replied  Tupac.  "We  must 
hurry,  for  the  festival  will  soon  begin." 

After  Amador  had  left  the  pleasure  garden  with 
his  companions,  he  discovered  upon  a  gently  de- 
scending slope  an  unplanted   square  field,  upon 


122  WITH   PIZAREO   IN   PERU. 

which  a  granary  built  in  the  shape  of  a  tower 
stood.  Around  this  tower  a  vast  multitude  of 
men  was  assembled.  Upon  the  side  facing  the 
imperial  palace  a  broad  pathway  had  been  left 
between  the  ranks  of  men,  at  each  side  of  which 
Inca  Manco's  body-guard,  in  their  gold-ornamented 
helmets  and  silver-plated  armor,  formed  a  living 
hedge. 

The  arms  of  these  warriors  consisted  of  bows 
and  arrows,  battle-axes,  clubs,  lances,  and  slings. 
Iron  was  unknown  to  the  Peruvians,  and  so  the 
heads  of  the  arrows  and  lances  were  made  of  fish- 
bones or  splinters  of  bones  of  large  animals,  or  bits 
of  flint,  and  in  rare  cases  were  adorned  with  cop- 
per, gold,  and  silver.  The  battle-axes  of  the  lead- 
ers were  of  silver,  those  of  the  Inca  and  his  rela- 
tions of  gold,  while  those  of  the  common  soldiers 
were  of  bronze.  Amador  was  struck  with  the  ar- 
tistic workmanship  displayed  in  the  heavy,  square 
clubs  or  liuamantscliay  of  the  higher  officers,  who 
also  carried  small  round  shields  made  of  basket 
work,  wood,  or  tortoise-shell,  and  wore  wooden 
helmets  inlaid  with  gold,  in  the  form  of  various 
animals'  heads.  Some  who  presented  a  particu- 
larly striking  appearance  had  caps  made  of  the 
skin  of  the  head  of  a  puma  or  jaguar,  and  richly 
adorned  with  gold  and  precious    stones.      The 


WITH    TIZAlinO    IN    PERU.  123 

coats  of  the  soldiers  were  wadded,  and  covered 
with  silver  xjlates.  There  were  also  musicians 
with  drums,  shell  horns,  copper  trumjiets,  and 
pipes  of  cane,  the  sounds  of  which  instruments 
were  familiar  to  Amador  from  former  battles. 
Banners  with  the  arms  of  the  various  provinces 
were  scattered  among  the  different  divisions,  and 
Amador  perceived  that  here  were  displayed  the 
flags  not  only  of  Vilcabamba,  but  of  those  prov- 
inces which  the  Spaniards  had  long  since  occupied. 
Tile  rebellious  Inca,  therefore,  evidently  consid- 
ered hims.^lf  the  lawful  ruler  of  the  whole  realm 
which  had  formerly  belonged  to  his  ancestors. 

Between  these  rows  of  glittering  warriors  Ama- 
dor now  passed,  and  at  sight  of  him  cries  of  as 
tonishment  arose  from  the  crowd,  so  much  the 
more  since  they  perceived  upon  the  breast  of  the 
Spaniard  the  kippu  of  the  Inca. 

Amador  took  his  place  in  the  first  rank  of  s\)eQ,- 
tators.  He  needed  not  to  wait  long  for  the  be- 
ginning of  the  ceremony.  Horns,  drums,  and 
trumpets  announced  to  the  peojile  that  the  Inca 
had  left  his  palace. 

The  imjierial  train  slowly  filed  between  the 
ranks  of  soldiers  to  the  sacred  field.  All  the  pomp 
of  the  former  rulers  of  all  Peru  was  displayed  in 
the  same  degree  as  years  before. 


124  WITH   PIZARRO    IN   PERU. 

The  chosen  especial  body-guard  of  the  Inca 
walked  first,  as  glittering  and  magnificent  as 
Alcan  had  once  described  it  upon  the  plateau  of 
Panama  to  the  eagerly  listening  Amador.  At  the 
head  of  the  procession  was  borne  the  imperial 
standard,  a  splendidly  painted  rainbow  upon  a 
white  ground.  Inca  Condor  headed  these  troops. 
He  had  donned  a  dazzling  coat  of  mail  in  honor  of 
the  day.  The  top  of  his  helmet  was  a  condor's 
head  with  a  massive  beak.  The  wings  of  the  ma- 
jestic bird  of  prey  were  fastened  to  the  shoulders 
of  the  Indian,  and  the  two  feet  with  their  fierce 
claws  he  wore  like  officer's  epaulets.  He  also 
wore  a  true  cuirassier  uniform,  a  white  jacket 
woven  out  of  the  finest  vicuna  wool,  and  over  that 
a  coat  of  mail  of  solid  gold,  which  covered  chest 
and  back.  But  on  this  day  he  did  not  carry  the 
massive  club  in  his  hand,  it  hung  at  his  waist. 
The  warrior's  right  hand  brandished  a  token  of 
peace,  a  golden  spade. 

Behind  the  body-guard  came  the  Inca  himself, 
carried  in  a  magnificent  litter.  He  appeared  in 
his  full  imperial  splendor  in  honor  of  this  feast. 

Upon  his  head  he  wore  the  liautii,  a  kind  of 
turban,  which  was  wrapj^ed  five  times  around  his 
head,  above  that  a  golden  diadem,  and  beneath, 
fastened  to  hang  over  his  forehead,  the  crown  of 


Wnil    l'IZAKi;<)    I.V    PKUIT.  I'jr) 

the  emperor  of  Peru,  a  red  worsted  tasselled  caj). 
On  ordinary  occasions  tlie  emperor  wore  a  simple 
\\ooUiin paUsc/ia  as  token  of  his  ranlv,  Ijut  npon 
festive  occasions  like  this  the  paltscha  was  far 
more  costly,  for  its  strands  were  covered  for  half 
their  length  with  gold.  His  garment  was  made 
of  a  material  in  which  all  kinds  of  figures  were 
woven  of  gold  and  silver,  and  also  tastefully  rep- 
resented flowers  of  gay  colors.  On  his  feet  he 
wore  golden  sandals.  His  breast  was  adorned 
with  a  golden  image  of  the  sun,  representing  a 
human  face,  surrounded  by  a  halo  of  rays ;  on  his 
left  arm  he  wore  a  heavy  gold  bracelet.  In  his 
right  hand  he  held  the  golden  sceptre  adorned 
with  emeralds.  But  yet  another  part  of  his  head- 
dress was  striking. 

He  wore  in  his  ears,  as  earrings,  massive  gold 
discs,  which  by  their  weight  so  lengthened  the 
Inca's  ears  that  the  Spaniards  called  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  imperial  family  "large  ears,"  or 
orejones.  But  what  especially  attracted  Ama- 
dor's attention  were  two  long  black  and  white 
striped  feathers,  which  stood  erect  at  each  side 
■  of  his  head.  These  were  the  feathers  of  the  won- 
derful bird  corekenlic^  which  only  the  ruling  Inca 
could  wear. 

According  to  the  firm  belief  of  the  Indians  they 


126  WITH   PIZAKEO   IN   PERU. 

were  given  to  the  Inca  by  the  sun-god  himself. 
Only  when  an  Inca  needed  such  feathers  did  the 
corelcenJie  appear  in  a  lake  in  the  desert  Vili- 
canota,  at  the  foot  of  the  Andes,  willingly  let  him- 
self be  caught,  and  allow  the  ai)pointed  catcher 
to  take  the  required  feathers  from  each  wing  with- 
out resistance,  whereupon  he  flew  away  again. 
Further  pursuit  or  injury  of  the  bird  was  forbid- 
den under  pain  of  death. 

But  to-day  yet  another  symbol  rested  upon  the 
Inca's  knee — a  golden  spade,  the  sign  of  this  fes- 
tive day. 

Not  only  did  the  emperor's  splendor  excite  Ama- 
dor's admiration,  but  the  throne  upon  which  he 
was  carried  was  also  magnificent.  It  was  a  low, 
round  stool  of  solid  gold,  and  this  rested  upon  a 
square,  thick  plate  or  platform  of  the  same  pre- 
cious metal.  The  platform  was  so  large  that  there 
was  also  room  enough  upon  it  for  the  Inca's  feet. 
The  framework  of  the  litter  itself  was  a  master- 
piece of  Peruvian  artistic  skill. 

It  must  surely  have  been  a  difficult  task  to 
carry  the  massive  throne  gently,  but  the  imperial 
bearers  had  had  practice  in  this  art  long  before 
in  the  various  provinces,  and  only  true  masters 
were  appointed  to  the  Inca's  service.  This  ap- 
pointment was  considered  a  great  honor,  but  the 


WITH    PIZAHIIO    I\    I'ERU.  127 

office  was  one  of  grave  responsibility.  Tl"  tlie 
royal  horses  run  away  with  the  royal  carriage  in 
any  country  of  Europe,  the  coachman  escapes  with 
a  reprimand,  or  the  loss  of  his  position.  Not  so 
in  the  land  of  the  Tncas.  If  one  of  the  bearers 
stumbled  or  was  guilty  of  any  other  awkwardness, 
this  offence  was  punished  by  the  laws  of  Peru 
with  death.  Eight  men  carried  the  imperial  litter 
and  twenty-four  substitutes  always  walked  beside 
it.  The  imperial  chair  itself  rested  upon  two  long 
poles  made  of  the  finest  wood  inlaid  with  gold 
and  silver,  and  above  it  rose  two  golden  arches, 
richly  ornamented  with  precious  stones.  Over 
these  arches  were  stretched  costly  stuffs  to  protect 
the  Inca  from  the  rays  of  the  sun  as  well  as  the 
curious  gaze  of  the  multitude.  This  covering  had 
numerous  openings  through  which  the  ruler  could 
obtain  fresh  air,  and  also  survey  the  road.  The 
litter  was  adorned  on  the  outside  with  a  golden 
sun,  a  silver  moon,  and  the  coat  of  arms  of  the 
Inca,  the  rainbow.  I'pon  the  floor  of  this  litter 
was  placed  the  gold  platform  and  upon  this  the 
stool. 

In  such  splendor  did  the  hunted  emperor  of 
Peru  appear;  the  remnant  of  the  old  splendor  was 
sufficient  to  dazzle  the  eyes  of  the  Spaniard.  This 
sight  did  indeed  excite  no  feeling  of  covetousness 


128  WITH   ri/ARKO   IN   PERU. 

in  Amador's  heart,  and  lie  did  not  even  tliink  that 
Alcan  liad  made  no  mistake  when  he  said  that  in 
the  plains  and  valleys  of  Vilcabamba  a  second 
Pern  was  to  be  conqnered.  Not  less  magnilicent 
were  the  costnmes  of  the  imperial  retinne. 

In  another  litter  was  borne  the  legitimate  wife 
of  the  Inca,  the  coya.  She  wore  garments  of  the 
finest  vicuna  wool,  which  were  fastened  together 
on  the  breast  by  four  golden  needles,  each  of  which 
weighed  a  pound,  and  about  the  waist  by  a  girdle 
of  fine  woollen  and  golden  threads.  Above  this  she 
wore  a  shawl  as  mantle,  ornamented  with  woven 
figures  of  gold  and  silver  thread,  and  gay-colored 
flowers.  Her  hair  was  carefully  combed  and  held 
back  by  a  golden  fillet  as  broad  as  one's  thumb; 
golden  shoes  incased  her  feet.  Rich  ornaments  of 
gold  and  emeralds  enhanced  the  sj^lendor  of  her 
appearance. 

The  imperial  pair  were  followed  on  foot  by  the 
other  members  of  the  Inca  family  then  in  Vilca- 
bamba, all  attired  in  robes  of  more  or  less  splen- 
dor, all  with  golden  spades  in  their  hands. 

Amador  gazed  closely  at  this  troop,  and  soon 
found  her  whom  he  sought— Inez, 

She  wore  a  snow-white  garment  without  any 
adornment.  Her  black  hair  was  held  uj)  by  a 
golden  comb,  and  ujoon  one  bare  arm  shone  the 


WITH    riZARliO    IN    PKKU.  129 

small  liooj)  of  gold  i'ex)resenting  a  serpent,  the  or- 
nament which  Amador  had  sent  to  her  day  before 
yesterday. 

Her  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  ground,  and  she 
walked  past  the  spot  where  Amador  stood  with- 
out raising  them  He  knew  well  why  she  did  so. 
Inca  Condor  liad  commanded  this  and  she  must 
obey  him,  for  at  the  court  of  Vilcabamba  Amador 
was  no  more  or  less  than  any  other  Spaniard. 
The  Peruvians  hated  hira  and  did  not  trust  him. 
Aclia's  rescue  they  jorobably  considered  merely  a 
trick  through  which  he  had  wished  to  gain  admit- 
tance to  Yilcabamba. 

The  usual  ceremonies  meanwhile  commenced  in 
the  sacred  field.  Inca  Manco  left  his  litter  and 
broke  the  soil  in  a  part  of  the  field  with  his  own 
hands.  He  prepared  the  ground  in  the  customary 
Peruvian  manner,  and  sowed  grains  of  maize. 

When  he  had  completed  this  task,  in  which 
none  of  his  courtiers  could  assist  him,  a  priest  as- 
cended the  tower  of  the  granary  and  announced 
to  the  people,  by  signals  upon  a  horn,  that  Inca 
Manco  had  opened  the  field  consecrated  to  the 
sun,  and  that  now  all  the  inhal)itants  of  the  king- 
dom could  begin  their  work  in  the  fields.  Imme- 
diately signals  rang  out  from  the  neighboring 
towers,  and  were  repeated  through  the  whole  re- 
9 


130  WITH   PIZAKEO   IN   PERU. 

gion  to  tlie  most  remote  corners  of  Yilcabamba. 
Once  the  signals  liacl  gone  further,  and  had  echoed 
from  Cuzco  to  the  furthest  inhabited  regions  of 
the  high  plateaus  and  to  the  coast  of  the  sea.  To- 
day they  went  no  further  than  throughout  Yil- 
cabamba—the  130  wer  of  the  Inca  was  already 
broken. 

Following  the  emperor's  example,  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  imi:)erial  family  set  about  the  same 
work ;  each  and  every  one  of  the  Incas  prepared 
a  bit  of  land  with  his  golden  spade,  and  in  a 
short  time  the  field  consecrated  to  the  sun-god 
was  sown. 

Festive  songs  of  all  kinds  completed  the  cere- 
mony, after  which  the  Inca  returned  to  his  palace, 
while  the  people  returned  to  the  villages  of  Yil- 
cabamba, to  celebrate  the  day  for  their  part.  A 
banquet  was  served  in  the  Inca's  jDalace,  to  which 
Amador  was  invited. 

The  banquet  was  served  in  a  large  hall.  For 
the  Inca  a  special  table  was  laid.  The  courtiers 
and  guests  sat  at  other  tables. 

The  repast  was  excellent.  A  hundred  different 
dishes  were  served,  game  and  birds  of  all  sorts, 
the  tender  flesh  of  young  llamas,  fish,  vegetables, 
and  entrees,  fruits,  cakes,  and  the  like.  Amador 
took  no  great  pleasure  in  the  dishes  set  before 


WITH   PIZAliUO   IX   PEltU.  131 

him,  for  Condor  was  his  gloomy  neighbor  at  table, 
and  this  society  spoiled  the  Spaniard's  ai)i)etite. 

He  therefore  turned  his  attention  to  Inca  Manro. 
The  emperor  was  waited  upon  by  his  wives.  They 
brought  the  various  dishes  and  placed  them  on 
mats  of  green  rushes,  in  gold  and  silver  utensils. 
He  designated  the  dishes  which  he  wished  to  en- 
joy. Immediately  one  of  tli«'  women  seized  the 
dish  and  held  it  before  him  while  he  ate  from  it. 
They  even  went  so  far  in  their  care  of  him  as  to 
l^ut  the  bits  in  his  mouth,  while  other  women  were 
busy  cutting  up  the  food  in  various  dishes  with 
small  crescent-shaped  bronze  or  gold  knives.  The 
Inca's  food  was  prepared  especially  for  him  by 
the  maidens  of  the  sun,  in  the  cloister  near  by. 

The  cup  from  which  Inca  Manco  drank  was  a 
human  skull,  set  in  gold. 

When  this  was  handed  to  him,  for  the  first  time 
Condor  turned  to  Amador,  and  said:  "Do  you 
know  to  whom  that  skull  belonged  in  life? " 

Amador  was  silent,  but  Condor  continued  sar- 
castically:  "  Inca  Manco  drinks  from  the  skull  of 
a  distinguished  Spaniard,  that  quenches  the  thirst 
for  revenge.    Why  do  you  grow  paler, paleface? " 

Any  quarrel  would  have  been  worse  than  use- 
less here,  so  Amador  was  silent.  He  had  until 
now  known  the  Peruvians  only  ux)on  the  field  of 


132  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PEEU. 

battle,  and  had  associated  only  with  the  subju- 
gated, slavish  part  of  the  population.  Here  he 
saw  the  most  distinguished  peoijle  of  the  realm 
in  their  unrestrained  liberty,  and  with  terror  he 
perceived  that  their  hatred  of  the  Spaniards  was 
far  greater  than  he  had  fancied.  He  began  to  de- 
spair of  the  success  of  his  mission. 

It  had  grown  late  when  the  guests  rose  from 
the  banquet.  Inca  Condor  surrendered  his  neigh- 
bor to  Cai)tain  Tupac  again.  The  latter  had  freely 
partaken  of  liquor,  and  was  in  a  jovial  mood. 

"  You  surely  do  not  wish  to  go  home  yet?"  he 
said  to  Amador.  "  You  have  seen  the  stiff  im- 
perial banquet,  you  must  now  witness  the  feast 
ing  of  the  people.  Come,  I  will  take  you  around 
through  the  city  streets." 

Amador  was  only  too  willing  to  accej)t  this  in- 
vitation. He  strolled  through  the  streets  of  Vil- 
cabamba,  arm  in  arm  with  his  guide,  and  very  soon 
he  became  conscious  that  the  Peruvians  celebrated 
the  festival  of  the  planting  of  fields,  in  a  similar 
manner  to  that  in  which  the  Greeks  celebrated 
their  feast  of  Bacchus.  The  tscliitscha^  their  na- 
tive liquor,  flowed  in  streams,  and  was  furnished 
to  the  peojDle  at  the  exj)ense  of  the  state. 

For  days  before  had  the  maidens  of  the  sun 
brewed  the  maize  beer  uuAveariedly,  and  the  liquor 


WITH    PIZAKUO    IX    1»ERTJ.  133 

when  ready  for  use  was  dispatclietl  from  the 
cloisters  in  casks  to  reservoirs  in  the  temple  of 
the  snn.  Fioni  liere  it  was  taken  in  golden  casks 
to  the  j)lace  before  the  temple;  tlien  these  casks 
were  opened,  and  the  beer  flowed  in  streams  into 
stone  wells,  and  was  drawn  np  by  the  common 
people  in  huge  pitchers. 

The  scene  which  here  presented  itself  before 
Amador  was  one  of  the  worst  sides  of  the  Inca 
rule.  On  this  day  anv  one  could  drink  freely, 
and  both  men  and  women  did  so.  Such  a  wild 
carousal  was  going  on  in  the  square  that  Captain 
Tupac  soon  perceived  that  it  would  be  too  danger- 
ous to  walk  here  with  the  Spaniard,  and  hurriedly 
turned  toward  home. 

"  How  long  does  this  festival  last? "  asked  Ama- 
dor of  the  captain. 

"  Sometimes  the  beer  is  not  consumed  for  days," 
replied  Tupac ;  "  and  it  must  all  be  drunk.  Be- 
sides, the  maidens  of  the  sun  are  brewing  indus- 
triously, for  in  a  few  days  the  wedding  of  Condor 
and  Aclia  will  take  j)lace.  Tliat  will  cause  a  new 
people's  festival,  but  before  everything  it  will  be 
a  festival  for  the  army." 

Amador  retii'ed  to  rest.  The  impressions  of 
this  day  w^ere  so  numerous  that  he  did  not  try  to 
arrange  them  in  his  ndnd.     But  he  was  not  at  all 


134  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

satisfied  with  liis  experiences.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances he  must  give  up  all  hopes  that  he 
might  ever  speak  with  Inez.  Adventurous  plans 
did  occur  to  him.  He  knew,  or  thought  he  knew, 
that  she  was  about  to  marry  Condor  only  at  her 
brother's  command.  How  would  it  be  if  he  could 
set  her  free  and  assist  her  to  flee  from  Yilca- 
bamba?  Ah,  he  had  to  laugh  at  this  plan  himself, 
for  by  what  way  could  they  flee?  Not  a  mouse 
could  leave  the  valley  against  Inca  Manco's  will. 
He  had  fallen  into  a  traj;)  from  which  there  was  no 
escape. 

He  did  not  this  night  sleep  as  calmly  as  at  that 
time  in  the  guardhouse  in  the  ravine.  And  when 
he  awoke  from  bad  dreams,  he  heard  the  tumult 
of  the  drunken  populace,  which  even  x^e^ietTated 
the  thick  foliage  of  the  i^leasure  garden. 


IX. 


"  Shall  I  not  be  allowed  an  audience  with  Tnca 
Manco?"  asked  Amador  on  the  following  morning. 

Captain  Tupac  shook  his  head. 

"  No,"  he  replied.  "  Inca  Manco  is  going  into 
the  mountains  on  a  hunt.  But  you  will  see  him, 
you  shall  accompany  him  there." 

The  imperial  hunt.  If  any  hunt  deserved  this 
name  those  of  the  Inca  did.  At  this  golden  age 
of  the  realm  they  were  certainly  the  most  mag- 
nificent ever  held  in  the  world.  The  provident 
laws  of  the  land  forbid  the  common  man  to 
hunt,  as  in  the  opinion  of  the  wise  men  of  Peru 
this  occupation  made  men  lazy  in  farming  inw- 
suits.  All  game,  from  deer  to  the  smallest  bird, 
was  therefore  declared  the  property  of  the  Inca, 
and  hunts  could  only  be  held  by  the  orders  of 
the  state. 

Every  four  years  the  Inca  participated  in  such 
a  hunt.     The  most  interesting  were  surely  those 


136  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

in  the  monntains,  for  here  was  the  home  of  the 
different  species  of  wild  llamas,  the  camels  of 
South  America,  which,  small  in  size,  run  with 
chamois-like  activity  over  the  steep  mountain 
sides.  In  the  mountains,  besides  deer,  lived  var- 
ious kinds  of  alpacas,  guanacos,  and  vicunas, 
all  more  or  less  like  the  llama,  and  belonging 
to  the  same  family.  The  alpacas  and  vicunas 
were  of  value  to  the  Peruvians  not  only  on  ac- 
count of  their  flesh,  they  furnished  the  finest 
wool;  but  they  could  not  be  tamed,  and  had  to 
be  caught  and  bound  when  it  was  desired  to 
shear  them. 

Inca  Man  CO  did  not  institute  the  hunt  for  his 
pleasure.  He  needed  meat.  Many  Indian  fami- 
lies had  fled  to  the  plains  of  Vilcabamba,  and  from 
time  to  time  a  fresh  band  of  fugitives  arrived, 
who  had  fled  with  wives  and  children  by  the  se- 
cret paths  out  of  the  reach  of  their  Spanish  per- 
secutors, to  place  themselves  under  the  protection 
of  their  emperor. 

It  could  not  be  said  that  Inca  Manco  saw  these 
bands  arrive  with  great  pleasure,  for  the  valleys 
of  Vilcabamba  became  thereby  over-populated. 
The  well-filled  storehouses  gradually  were  ex- 
hausted, and  the  officials  declared  that  if  the 
next  harvest  were  not  particularly  abundant,  they 


WITH    VVAMUIO   IN   PERU.  137 

would  be  threatened  with  famine,  an  event  whicli 
was  fairly  unheard  of  in  the  history  of  the  well- 
ordered  Inca  land. 

Other  sux)plies,  such  as  stuffs  and  the  like,  raj)- 
idly  diminished.  It  was  hard  to  replenish  these, 
for  cotton  would  not  thrive  on  the  high  plateaus, 
the  herds  of  llamas  were  not  especially  numerous, 
and  the  yield  of  alpaca  and  vicunu  wool  very 
sliiilit.  And  the  emperor  alone,  in  accordance 
with  olden  custom,  needed  such  an  immense  sup- 
ply of  clothes.  Aside  from  his  state  attire  he 
wore  each  garment  but  a  single  time.  When  he 
took  it  off  it  was  put  with  other  similar  new,  but, 
in  the  eyes  of  the  Inca,  cast-off  garments,  and  after 
six  months  it  was  burned.  Now  when  the  com- 
mon people  were  so  lacking  in  clothes  these  cast- 
off  and  yet  so  new  garments  would  have  been  wel- 
come to  them.  But  it  would  have  been  reck- 
oned a  crime  to  change,  even  in  the  slightest,  the 
ceremony  which  surrounded  the  throne. 

The  Peruvians  had  been  accustomed  since  time 
immemorial  that  the  state  for  which  they  worked, 
the  state  which  considered  everything  its  own 
property,  shoidd  provide  for  them;  but  now  this 
state  was  shaken  to  its  foundiations,  it  vvas  con- 
quered, and  nameless  misery  threatened  to  burst 
upon  the  peoi)le,  who  did  not  know  how  to  help 


138  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PERU. 

themselves  and  were  left  perplexed  and  incom- 
petent. 

Every  where  there  come  distress  and  hard  times. 
Everywhere  in  the  world  man  must  earn  his  daily 
bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow.  In  Europe,  man 
is  brought  up  from  childhood  to  be  independent, 
and  when  hard  times  come  he  shows  himself  a 
man,  he  finds  new  means  and  ways  of  maintaining 
his  family.  But  in  the  land  of  the  Incas,  as  in 
those  fantastic  states  which  false  prophets  have 
tried  to  predict  in  our  times  to  the  people,  each 
one  had  done  only  what  the  state  prescribed  for 
him.  He  was  without  a  will,  a  mere  wheel  in  a 
huge  machine,  and  when  one  axle  broke  the 
whole  stood  still,  all  wheels  were  useless,  the  com- 
mon man  was  lost,  he  fell  victim  to  the  greatest 
misery. 

The  wise  lawgivers  of  the  realm,  in  limiting 
freedom  in  work,  had  overlooked  this  catastrophe, 
and  now  their  mighty  state  was  on  the  verge  of 
destruction ;  a  handful  of  adventurers  destroyed 
it  in  a  few  years.  The  poor  people  were  litted 
only  for  slaves  for  the  victors. 

All  this  was  clear  to  Inca  Manco,  and  he  feared 
the  sudden  collapse  of  his  glory.  He  gave  the 
populace  brilliant  feasts  as  in  old  times,  so  as  to 
deceive  them  in  regard  to  the  danger ;  and  behind 


WITH    PIZARKO   IN   PEKU.  139 

tlie  mantle  of  an  imperial  liimt  lie  now  soiiglit  to 
win  meat  and  wool. 

Twenty  thousand  men,  half  the  male  population 
of  Vilcabamba,  were  summoned  to  act  as  beaters 
of  the  game  for  the  imperial  hunt.  A  large  district 
was  to  be  hunted  over,  and  this  would  occupy 
many  days. 

Distant  mountain-tops  indicated  the  direction 
of  the  hunt ;  the  beds  of  rivers,  paths,  ravines,  and 
forests  served  as  boundaries  of  the  living  circle 
which  only  after  many  days  contracted,  and  finally 
so  much  that  it  consisted  of  two  or  three  rows  of 
men,  and  made  it  almost  impossible  for  the  game 
to  slip  through  and  escape.  Many  beaters  were 
armed  with  sharp-pointed  lances  to  protect  them- 
selves against  the  attacks  of  beasts  of  prey,  the 
others  were  armed  with  clubs.  Unresisting  wild 
animals  could  be  killed  by  no  man,  savage  animals 
only  by  those  whose  lives  were  endangered,  so 
stated  the  laws  of  Peru  in  regard  to  such  hunts. 
Finally  the  beaters,  led  by  skilled  hunters,  drove 
many  thousand  wild  animals  of  the  most  varied 
kinds  before  them.  In  places  where  game  was 
particularly  abundant  seldom  less  than  twenty, 
often  as  manv  as  forty  thousand  animals  were 
thus  surrounded  and  brought  into  the  emperor's 
immediate  vicinity.     Among  guanacos,  vicunas, 


140  WITH   PIZAKRO    IN    PERU. 

alpacas,  and  deer,  beasts  of  prey  ran  in  close 
packs  fleeing  from  the  threatening  lances — silver 
lions  or  pumas,  jaguars,  ocelots,  wild-cats,  foxes, 
wild  dogs,  bears  and  others,  in  recognition  of  the 
common  danger,  suppressing  all  voracious  in- 
stincts, and  in  no  less  fear  and  dread  than  were 
the  others. 

After  the  Inca  and  his  guests  had  killed  with 
arrows  and  lances  as  many  of  the  animals  as  they 
wished,  appointed  hunters,  experienced  and  well 
schooled,  ai)peared  upon  the  scene  of  action,  killed 
the  remaining  animals  appointed  to  death,  caught 
the  others  which  were  to  be  robbed  merely  of  their 
fleece,  and  handed  them  over  to  expert  shearers, 
who  threw  them  on  the  ground,  held  them  fast  by 
the  legs,  when  they  were  shorn  and  then  allowed 
to  run  loose. 

The  great  sui3ply  of  meat  thus  obtained  was  not 
lost,  for  thousands  of  busy  hands  w^ere  at  once 
engaged  in  cutting  it  in  strips,  and  hanging  it  in 
the  open  air  to  dry  in  preparation  of  tscliarci,  or 
dried  meat. 

The  unbutchered  animals  were  carefully  counted 
before  being  set  free,  and  their  number  recorded 
in  the  Idppus,  so  that  the  Inca  might  at  any  time 
be  informed  of  the  condition  of  game  in  the  king- 
dom. 


WITH   PIZARKO   IX   TEKU.  141 

Thus  was  the  impenal  hunt  condufted,  in 
which  Amador  had  partic'ii)ated  with  ever-increas- 
ing astonishment. 

Days  passed,  and  Amador  received  no  summons 
to  the  Inca's  presence,  despite  his  repeated  ques- 
tioning of  Captain  Tupac,  nor  did  he  catch  even 
a  glimpse  of  Aclia.  He  dared  not  mention  her 
name  frequently  to  the  captain,  and  so  remained 
totally  ignorant  of  her  doings.  Finally,  just  as 
he  was  beginning  to  despair,  and  fancy  that  he 
was  to  be  kei)t  a  prisoner  Indefinitely,  on  the  last 
day  of  the  hunt,  while  all  were  still  busied  in  di- 
viding the  meat,  a  messenger  appeared 'and  sum- 
moned him  to  the  emperor. 

lie  was  taken  to  the  palace,  where  his  guide 
said  a  few  words  to  an  imperial  officer,  but  in 
such  a  low  tone  that  Amador  could  not  possibly 
hear  what  was  said.  Then  he  was  conducted 
through  various  coiridors  and  rooms,  elegantly 
decorated  with  gold  and  silver  work,  and  was 
finally  ushered  into  an  apartment  in  which  were 
the  Inca  and  a  few  of  his  nobles.  The  Inca  gave 
a  sign  to  these  nobles  to  withdraw,  and  received 
Amador  with  a  grave  bow.  He  evidently  wished 
to  give  the  Spaniard  the  desired  interview  with- 
out witnesses  to  overhear  what  might  pass  between 
them,  and  in  as  little  conspicuous  a  manner  as 


142  WITH   PIZAKllO   IN   PERU. 

possible.  Inca  Condor  had  not  been  in  the  room 
when  Amador  entered. 

Amador  sainted  the  emperor,  bnt  the  latter, 
withont  the  slightest  preamble,  asked  abruptly: 

"  Do  you  understand  the  art  of  obtaining  gold 
and  silver  by  means  of  the  paint,  Itschma  f  " 

"  Your  majesty,"  replied  Amador,  greatly  sur- 
prised by  this  unexpected  question.  "I  have 
never  practised  this  art.  I  am  familiar  with  it 
merely  from  the  accounts  of  others,  but  along  the 
coast  there  are  Spaniards  who  understand  it  per- 
fectly." 

Inca  Manco  gazed  at  Amador  in  disappointment. 

"  Then  you  lie,  or  the  others  have  lied.  It  is 
imj^ossible  to  separate  gold  from  the  ore  by  that 
means,"  said  he  gloomily. 

"  Your  majesty,"  said  Amador  quietly  but  in  a 
tone  which  carried  conviction,  "  whoever  told  you 
that  it  was  impossible  had  certainly  not  made  the 
trial  in  the  right  way.  As  a  test,  I  would  proba- 
bly succeed  in  winning  gold  if  I  had  the  ma- 
terial." 

"  You  shall  have  it,"  replied  the  Inca.  "  But 
you  will  be  silent  concerning  it,  or  you  will  be 
put  to  death." 

"  I  will  do  so,"  said  Amador.  "  But  your  maj- 
esty has  gold  enough.     Of  what  use  will  more 


WITH  PizAiiuo  IX  pp:iiu.  143 

gold  be  to  your  majesty?  I  did  not  come  here  for 
this.  Has  your  majesty  learned  of  the  deatli  of 
Pizarro?" 

"  Every  Spaniard  is  like  Pizarro."  replied  the 
Inca  coldly. 

"  Your  majesty,"  continued  Amador,  "  there  are 
among  the  Incas  also  terrible  as  well  as  good 
men.  There  are  even  so  among  the  Spaniards  mild 
and  good  men  who  love  peace.  A  new  viceroy 
now  rules  in  Lima." 

'*  I  know  what  you  wish  to  say,"  Inca  Manco 
interrupted  him.  "  But  I  do  not  long  to  return  to 
Cuzco.  I  am  safe  here,  and  you  see  that  I  still 
possess  a  terrible  power.  Above  all  things,  I  wish 
now  to  learn  how  gold  is  obtained  by  means  of  the 
red  j)aint,  and  T  will  reward  you  for  this  secret  in 
an  imperial  manner;  you  can  even  demand  the 
hand  of  one  of  my  daughters  or  sisters  in  return. 
Say  what  inice  you  will  demand." 

Amador  stood  there  in  surprise.  The  Inca  had 
fatliomed  his  purpose.  He  must  be  frank,  and 
therefore  replied:  "  Your  majesty,  I  would  prefer 
to  be  silent,  for  if  I  ask  for  the  only  thing  that  is 
dear  and  precious  to  me  in  the  land  of  Peru,  I 
would  make  a  mortal  enemy  of  one  of  your  maj- 
esty's bravest  commanders,  and  his  hostility  would 
also  rob  me  of  your  majesty's  high  favor." 


144  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

Inca  Manco  frowned. 

"  There  is  but  one  will  in  the  land  of  the  Incas," 
he  replied  gloomily,  "  and  that  is  mine.  My  word 
is  law,  before  which  all  must  bend.  Name  the 
man  whose  enmity  yon  fear." 

"  Your  majesty  will  understand  me  rightly," 
replied  Amador.  "  In  open  conflict,  on  the  battle- 
field, I  fear  no  opponent.  I  only  fear  that  a  good 
work  which  I  should  like  to  accomplish,  might  be 
ruined  by  calumny.  The  man  is  the  brave  Inca 
Condor." 

"What!  would  he  envy  you  the  price  which 
you  Avould  ask?" 

"  Yes,  your  majesty,  for  I  would  beg  for  some- 
thing which  already  half  belongs  to  him." 

The  Inca  smiled. 

"  Speak  plainly,"  said  he,  gazing  piercingly  at 
Amador. 

Amador  was  silent  for  a  time.  But  then  he  re- 
I)lied  firmly :  ''  I  would  beg  your  majesty  to  allow 
Aclia  to  marry  whom  she  wills." 

"  That  cannot  be,  Calabrera,"  replied  the  Inca, 
with  a  smile.  "  I  have  x^romised  Aclia's  hand  to 
the  man  who  would  free  her  from  Pizarro's  cap- 
tivity, and  bring  her  here  in  safety.  Condor  alone 
presented  himself  before  me  as  her  rescuer,  and 
to  him  belongs  her  hand.     To  be  sure,"  continued 


WITH     IMZAKKO    IN    PERU.  145 

tlie  Inca  slowly,  "  the  matter  is  not  yet  definitely 
decided.  In  three  days  a  herald  will  openly  de- 
mand before  the  i)alace  whether  any  one  else  will 
present  himself  as  Aclia's  rescuer,  and  contest  his 
right  with  Condor.  I  have  commanded  that  any 
one,  whoever  he  may  be,  may  leave  his  work,  in 
order  to  appear  upon  the  square  at  the  right  time, 
and  even  captives,  if  they  desire,  may  be  led  to 
the  square  before  my  palace.     I  have  spoken." 

He  made  a  gesture  of  dismissal  to  the  Spaniard, 
and  summoned  his  guards,  in  whose  company  he 
at  once  left  the  apartment. 

Was  it  a  wonder,  then,  that  since  that  moment 
Amador  was  blind  to  all  the  charms  of  the  impe- 
rial hunt?  The  Inca  himself  pointed  out  to  him 
the  w^ay  by  which  he  might  win  Aclia.  Was  not 
that  strange?  And  was  it  not  strange  that  the 
emperor,  whose  store  of  gold  w^as  so  rich,  should 
desire  yet  more  gold?  But  strangest  of  all  was 
the  fact  that  he  supported  the  Spaniard  against 
Condor,  and  indeed  in  a  secret  manner. 

These  were  pure  riddles  for  .Vmador.  Tliere 
were  then  intrigues  at  this  court  of  an  absolute 
monarch.  Inca  Manco  and  his  minister  of  war. 
Condor,  were  also  on  hostile  terms.  Inca  Condor 
had  indeed  so  distinguished  himself  in  recent 
battles,  that  he  was  honored  by  the  Indians  as  a 

lO 


146 


WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PERU. 


national  hero.  His  growing  fame  cast  a  shadow 
upon  the  form  of  Inca  Manco,  who  in  his  youth 
had  been  a  brave  and  skilful  warrior,  but  his  cour- 
age had,  as  it  seemed,  cooled  by  calm  delibera- 
tion, and  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  his  subjects 
lay  nearest  his  heart. 

Amador's  hopes  rose  afresh,  and  this  time  they 
seemed  thoroughly  justified.  With  burning  im- 
patience he  awaited  the  day  when  he  might  con- 
test his  rights  with  Inca  Condor. 


X. 


"Will  yon  not  visit  the  llama  herds  on  the 
plains? "  said  Captain  Tupac  to  Amador,  on  the 
morning  of  the  decisive  day. 

"  Thank  yon,  no,"  he  replied.  "  I  am  tired  and 
"would  prefer  to  remain  at  home." 

He  did  remain  at  home,  but  froiji  his  window 
he  could  overlook  the  square  before  the  x)alace. 
Gradually  a  crowd  began  to  assemble  there;  Imt 
Amador  did  not  hurry,  he  did  not  wish  to  appear 
too  soon  at  the  tourney  place.  He  had  plenty  of 
time,  he  wished  to  surprise  Condor.  He  sat  there, 
however,  in  his  room,  ready  to  go  out. 

An  hour  elapsed.  Then  there  was  a  blare  of 
trumpets  in  front  of  the  palace,  announcing  to 
the  people  that  their  ruler  had  left  his  ax>artment. 

Amador  rose. 

"  Take  me  to  the  square  before  the  palace,"  said 
he  to  Tupac.  But  the  captain  frowned  and  re- 
plied: "I  cannot  do  that.  You  are  a  prisoner, 
and  I  have  no  orders  to  take  you  there." 


148  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

"  You  lie!  "  cried  Amador  excitedly.  "Accord- 
ing to  the  Inca's  command,  and  your  old  laws, 
every  captive  lias  a  right  to  be  led  to  the  square 
at  this  hour." 

"  You  are  a  stranger,"  replied  Tupac  gloomily. 
"  The  laws  of  the  Inca  do  not  refer  to  you.  Hold 
him  fast !  "  he  cried  to  his  soldiers,  as  he  saw  that 
Amador  wished  to  go  in  spite  of  him. 

"  Do  not  dare  to  touch  me ! "  cried  Amador, 
pointing  to  the  Inca's  kippu,  which  he  always  car- 
ried about  his  person.  "  Do  you  know  the  token 
of  your  emperor?  You  know  that  he  who  wears 
it  can  claim  the  same  rights  in  the  land  as  a  na- 
tive-born Peruvian.  You  are  dead  men  if  you  do 
not  respect  your  emperor's  will.  In  the  name  of 
Inca  Manco  let  me  pass." 

The  soldiers  drew  back  in  alarm,  and  Captain 
Tupac  followed  his  prisoner  with  a  j)ale  face.  He 
was  forced  to  act  against  his  general's  orders, 
for  the  word  of  the  all-powerful  emperor  came 
first. 

When  Amador  appeared  in  the  square,  Inca 
Manco  was  just  appearing  in  all  his  regal  splendor 
upon  the  platform  before  his  palace,  and  seating 
himself  upon  his  throne  of  gold.  Around  him 
stood  the  dignitaries  of  the  realm,  among  them 
Inca  Condor,  at  his  side  Aclia-Inez  in  a  white 


THE   TWO    SAVIOIRS. 


WITH   PIZAIIRO   IX   PERU.  149 

gown.  n^;r  eyes  were  lowered,  and  she  was  far 
from  presenting  the  appearance  of  a  haj)])}'  l)ride. 

Inca  Manco  watched  lier  for  a  wliile,  then  lie 
inspected  the  crowd.  When  he  discovered  among 
it  the  hat  of  the  Spaniard  he  smiled  contentedly. 
Inca  Condor  did  not  honor  the  crowd  with  a 
glance;  he  spoke  to  Aclia. 

At  a  signal  from  the  Inca  the  herald  stepped 
forward.  In  a  loud  voice  he  reminded  the  people 
of  the  promise  which  the  emperor  had  given  to 
the  man  who  should  rescue  his  sister  from  the 
Spanish  captivity  and  bring  her  alive  and  safe  to 
Vilcabamba.  Inca  Condor  asserted  that  he  had 
done  this,  and  demanded  Aclia's  hand;  it  was 
asked  for  the  last  time  if  any  one  was  there  to 
contest  Inca  Condor's  rights. 

There  was  deep  silence  in  the  assembled  crowd. 
Then  Amador  raised  his  voice:  "I  contest  it;  let 
me  come  forward  so  that  I  may  speak." 

Cries  of  surprise  came  from  all  sides;  the  crowd 
divided,  and  Amador  advanced  to  the  open  place, 
and  paused  at  the  steps  of  the  platform. 

He  bowed  deeply  before  the  Inca,  and  began 
to  relate  in  a  loud,  firm  voice  his  experiences  in 
the  cave  and  his  rescue  of  Aclia.  He  concluded 
with  the  words:  "  Inca  Condor  indeed  freed  Aclia 
from  Pizarro's  captivity,  and  brought  her  to  the 


150  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

spot  where  he  sank  down  exhausted.  Here  she 
fell  into  my  hands,  into  the  hands  of  a  Spaniard 
again.  Inca  Condor  sat  there,  worn  out  and  weak, 
and  made  no  resistance  when  I  took  her  in  my 
arms  and  carried  her  like  a  child  into  the  cave, 
where  I  warmed  her,  and  called  her  back  to  life. 
At  that  time  I  could  have  killed  Inca  Condor,  if  I 
had  been  cowardly  enough  to  feel  no  compassion 
for  a  lieljjless,  unarmed  man.  He  dragged  himself 
behind  me,  and  sank  down  unconscious  at  the  en- 
trance to  the  cave;  I  needed  but  to  give  him  a 
push  to  send  him  over  the  precipice  and  down 
into  fathomless  depths,  but  I  was  sorry  for  him, 
and  carried  him  also  uj)  to  the  warm  lire.  At  that 
moment  Aclia  was  my  prisoner,  the  prisoner  of  a 
Spaniard,  but  as  I  knew  her  love  for  her  emperor 
and  brother  and  for  her  jDeople  I  let  her  go  free, 
I  and  no  one  else.  So  she  was  set  free  by  me, 
and  as  she  returned  alive  to  Vilcabamba,  she  has 
me  to  thank  for  it.  I  contest  Inca  Condor's  right 
to  demand  Aclia's  hand  because  of  his  so-called 
rescue  of  her,  for  I  too  have  the  same  right." 

In  unbounded  fury,  Inca  Condor  had  sprung 
forward  at  Amador's  first  words,  but  the  respect 
due  the  presence  of  the  Inca  imposed  silence  upon 
him ;  but  when  the  herald  now  turned  to  him  and 
asked:  ''Inca  Condor,  what  have  you  to  say  in 


WITJI    PIZAltlK)   IN   PERU.  151 

reply  to  this? "  all  his  rage,  until  then  restrained, 
burst  forth,  and  he  cried,  turning  to  the  assem- 
blage : 

"  Sons  of  the  Inca  people,  do  not  believe  the 
faithless  words  of  a  Spaniard.  He  lies  a  thousand 
times.  He  lurked  in  his  cave  like  the  savage 
jaguar  of  the  wilderness,  to  surprise  us,  as  his 
spies  had  informed  him  that  we  were  in  that  part 
of  the  country.  AYe  were  hunted  by  the  Spanish 
executioners  from  place  to  place,  day  and  night, 
without  intermission.  Ah  yes,  we  did  sink  down 
utterly  exhausted  I  then  he  fell  upon  us.  He 
spared  us  our  lives,  it  is  true,  but  -only  that  he 
might  deliver  us  alive  into  Pizarro's  hands  again. 
The  Spaniard  thirsts  for  blood,  he  rejoices  in  the 
anguish  of  the  tortured  Inca.  That  robber  and 
desecrator  of  temples,  Pizarro,  threatened  that  he 
would  have  Aclia  tortured  to  death  if  we  did  not 
surrender  to  his  robber  hordes  the  valleys  of  Vil- 
cabamba,  where  the  banner  with  the  rainbow  still 
Hoats  freelv.  This  slave  of  Pizarro  wished  to  de- 
liver  us  alive  into  his  master's  hands,  for  this  rea- 
son he  bestowed  our  lives  upon  us.  He  merely 
waited  until  his  boon  companions  who  were  pur- 
suing us  should  overtake  us,  and  then  lead  us 
back  to  the  coast  again.  But  the  protecting  gods 
of  the  Incas  were  propitious  to  us  in  that  hour.   I 


152  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

recovered  fresh  strength,  and  when  I  stood  face  to 
face  with  him,  man  to  man,  I  demanded  Aclia 
from  his  hands,  and  threatened  him,  in  case  of  re- 
fusal, with  death.  Then  he  was  frightened  and 
let  us  go,  not  from  free  choice,  but  in  trembling 
fear.  I  tore  from  you,  Spaniard,  the  sister  of  the 
Inca,  and  have  but  one  regret,  and  that  is,  that  I 
did  not  plunge  this  dagger  into  your  heart  in  that 
cave,  for  you  are  here  to-day  as  one  of  Pizarro's 
spies,  and  will  bring  misery  upon  the  remnant  of 
the  free  Inca  land." 

Inca  Condor  was  silent. 

Then  the  herald  asked  Amador:  "  Stranger  in 
this  valley,  what  reply  have  you  to  make?  Have 
you  any  one  who  can  testify  for  you  against  Inca 
Condor? " 

Amador  replied  calmly:  "Inca  Condor,  shame 
on  you,  to  lie  like  a  little  child  before  your  em- 
peror and  the  people.  Had  I  wished  to  keep  you 
in  my  power,  could  I  not  have  bound  you  a  hun- 
dred times  with  ropes  as  you  lay  there  helpless 
before  me?  I  was  sorry  for  Aclia,  and  therefore 
I  rescued  her,  and  let  her  go  on  her  way  with  a 
happy  heart.  Believe  me,  better  times  will  come, 
in  which  Indians  and  Spaniards  may  live  together 
as  brothers,  and  I  have  come  here  to  bring  about 
these  times.     But  I  do  not  quarrel  with  you.     I 


WITH  pi/AiiRo  rx  PERU.  153 

have  a  witness  who  can  decide  between  me  and 
you.     It  is  Aclia,  she  may  speak." 

Then  at  a  sign  from  the  Inca  the  herald  turned 
to  Aclia  and  summoned  her  to  testify. 

She  no  longer  stood  there  depressed  and  mel- 
ancholy. The  hues  of  life  had  returned  to  her 
face,  and  her  eyes  sparkled  joyously,  lie,  Ama- 
dor, had  bravely  appeared  to  free  her  from  the 
power  of  this  man,  whom  she  had  despised  from 
the  bottom  of  her  heart  since  that  moment  in  the 
cave  when  he  had  wished  to  reward  an  act  of 
benevolence  with  murder. 

She  stepped  forward,  and  said,  with  her  hand 
resting  on  her  heart:  "In  the  sight  of  the  pro- 
tecting gods  of  the  Incas,  this  is  what  I  testify: 
All  that  the  Spaniard  has  said  is  true !  " 

A  cry  of  astonishment  passed  through  the  crowd. 
Many  pitied  the  brave  Inca  Condor,  for  the  events 
which  had  taken  place  in  the  cave  in  the  moun- 
tains had  been  concealed  from  the  people,  so  that 
they  should  not  unnecessarily  be  alarmed  by 
learning  that  the  Spaniards  had  also  discovered 
this  ^secret  path  to  V^ilcabamba.  Condor  had, 
therefore,  been  considered  as  xA.clia's  courageous 
rescuer;  now  he  must  share  the  fame  of  this  brave 
deed,  and  with  a  Spaniard. 

But  Condor  himself  cried  in  a  deeply  jDained 


154  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

voice:  "Aclia,  you  have  forgotten  your  duty — 
you,  a  daughter  of  the  Inca  race.  Your  heart 
wavers  between  your  tortured  brethren  and  the 
strange  robber.  Woe  to  you,  unfortunate  one, 
for  you  will  bring  boundless  misery  upon  our 
land!" 

But  the  herald  said:  "My  duties  are  ended. 
May  the  judges  decide  between  the  two." 

The  judges,  the  dignitaries  of  the  realm,  assem- 
bled in  counsel.  Before  long,  the  eldest  stepped 
forward,  and  communicated  their  decision  to  Inca 
Manco. 

"  Highest,  mightiest  of  rulers,  son  of  the  sun ; 
thou  alone  art  the  lord,  all  the  world  m  List  obey 
thee  in  truth,"  said  he.  "  Thou  hast  appointed  us 
that  we  might  decide  according  to  the  laws  made 
by  thy  forefathers,  and  wdiich  thou  hast  confirmed. 
We  have  weighed  the  dispute  between  Inca  Con- 
dor and  the  Sj^aniard  Calabrera,  who  wears  thy 
sacred  protecting  token,  and  have  come  to  the 
following  conclusion:  Inca  Condor  did  indeed 
free  the  maiden  Aclia  from  the  power  of  Pizarro, 
and  bring  her  safely  to  the  mountains.  But  he 
was  too  weak  to  complete  his  work  of  rescue;  he 
could  not  have  brought  her  alive  to  Vilcabamba, 
had  he  not  been  assisted  by  the  Spaniard  Calabrera. 
So  he  completed  but  a  part  of  the  task  for  which, 


V/ITII    PIZAUUO    I\    VFAIV.  155 

thou,  highest,  mightiest  of  sovereigns,  liadst  set 
the  price. 

"In  regiiid  to  the  Spaniard,  he  cannot  assert 
that  he  freed  Aciia  from  her  captivity.  She  was 
free  when  he  raised  her  unconscious  form  fiom 
the  snow,  and  lie  did  not  malve  lier  his  prisoner, 
for  he  raised  her  to  rescue  her,  and  not  to  deliver 
her  to  her  pursuers.  He  himself  admits  that,  and 
so  he  cannot  contest  the  accomplishment  of  the 
first  part  of  the  task  by  Inca  Condor.  Great  and 
worthy  of  admiration  is  the  courage  of  our  re- 
nowned leader.  But  the  Si^aniard  is  nevertheless 
undoubtedly  Aclia's  rescuer.  Never  would  she 
have  seen  the  valleys  of  Yilcabamba  had  not  the 
Spaniard  carried  her  into  the  cave,  and  there 
warmed  her  and  brought  her  back  to  life ;  and. 
if  Inca  Condor  was  so  weak,  that  w  ithout  attemjjt- 
ing  resistance  he  permitted  the  Spaniard  to  lay 
hands  upon  the  sister  of  our  mighty  ruler  and 
emjoeror,  he  could  never,  in  all  human  experience, 
have  recovered  sufficient  strength  to  carry  Aclia 
over  the  mountains.  He  too  would  have  suc- 
cumbed to  the  icy  gale,  and  would  have  found 
death  with  her.  He  was  forced,  therefore,  bv 
higher  powers,  to  leave  his  work  uncompleted. 
There  the  Spaniard  appeared,  and  continued  this 
work  of  rescue,  and  brought  it  to  a  happy  close. 


156  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

He  accomplished  the  second  part  of  the  task.  May 
he  demand  the  prize  for  this?  Never,  for  he  did 
but  half  of  the  work. 

"  If  a  prize  of  gold  or  silver  ware  had  been  of- 
fered for  the  task,  in  such  a  case  we  would  divide 
it.  But  if  the  prize  consisted  of  but  a  single  work 
of  art,  a  beautiful  goblet,  a  figure,  a  masterpiece 
whose  A^alue  lay  not  only  in  the  quantity  of  gold 
but  also  in  the  work  of  the  master,  then  the  de- 
cision would  be  much  more  difficult,  for  we  could 
not  divide  the  work  of  art.  The  value  would  be 
thereby  diminished,  and  neither  of  the  two  would 
receive  the  intended  half  of  the  prize,  but  less. 
We  could  then  propose  to  have  the  value  of  the 
work  of  art  estimated  and  each  contestant  paid 
half  of  tlie  estimated  value  in  other  wares. 

"  But  if  it  is  difficult  to  divide  a  work  of  art  in 
gold  or  silver  between  two  contestants,  how  much 
harder  is  it  to  divide  a  human  being,  a  work  of 
art  which  comes  from  the  hands  of  the  gods !  It 
cannot  be  divided,  for  it  is  inseparable;  all  the 
fibres  of  its  being  are  so  closely  bound  up  in  each 
other  that  two  halves  of  a  human  being  would  be 
even  less  valuable  than  the  halves  of  a  work  of 
art. 

"  It  is  also  impossible  to  estimate  the  value  of  a 
human  being.     In  a  slave,  youth,  skill,  and  abil- 


WITH  J'I/aim:<)  i.\   vvmu.  157 

ity  to  work  can  be  considered.  ]5ut  who  can  esti- 
mate the  value  of  a  free  l)eing,  even  were  lie  the 
commonest  man  of  the  people?  And  here  a  prin- 
cess, the  daughter  of  the  family  of  our  mighty 
Inca,  is  the  human  being. 

"  Therefore  we  have  decided  that  the  prize  can- 
not be  divided.  No  one  in  the  realm  of  the  four 
suns  has  fully  and  entirely  won  it,  and  therefore 
it  must  return  to  those  who  offered  it." 

All  had  waited  with  the  greatest  interest  the 
decision  of  Inca  Manco  which  should  confirm  or 
overthrow  the  judgment.  Breathless  silence  pre- 
vailed as  he  prepared  to  speak. 

"  I  find  the  decision  of  the  wise  judges  just  and 
right,"  said  he.  "  I  and  Aclia  owe  both  rescuers 
thanks,  and  they  may  be  sure  of  my  royal  favor. 
But  Aclia  remains  in  the  house  of  my  sisters. 
The  contest  is  decided."  The  Inca  then  rose  and 
returned  to  his  apartments.  His  court  followed 
him;  Aclia  and  Condor  also  vanished  into  the  hall 
of  the  palace,  while  Amador  walked  through  the 
dispersing  crowds  to  his  quarters. 

Among  the  common  men  of  the  people  opinions 
varied.  The  soldiers,  who  idolized  tlieir  leader, 
were  dissatisfied,  and  murmured  among  them- 
selves. '^  Only  let  an  Inca  stand  before  a  Spanish 
judge,"  said  they;  "  we  would  see  then  what  rights 


158  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

would  be  allowed  him  if  lie  were  oi)posed  to  a 
Spaniard.  Ataliiialpa  ruined  himself  by  his  lonc^- 
suffering  and  love  of  Justice.  Inca  Manco  is  fol- 
lowing his  example.  The  first  Spaniard  has  al- 
ready come  to  Yilcabaniba,  others  will  follow  him, 
and  the  rainbow  banner  will  fall  here  as  it  fell  in 
Cuzco  and  Caxamarca." 

Others,  on  the  contrary,  j)eaceable  farmers  and 
mechanics,  said :  "A  new  era  seems  to  be  at  hand. 
The  Spaniai'd  said  so.  War  will  cease.  Inca 
Manco  will  make  peace  with  the  strangers,  and  all 
will  be  well  again  in  the  kingdom  of  the  four  suns." 

At  court  also,  opinion  was  divided  among  the 
dignitaries  of  the  land. 

One  party,  formed  of  younger  men,  was  for  con- 
tinuing the  fight.  They  sent  messengers  into  the 
region  occui^ied  by  the  Spaniards,  and  tried  to 
incite  the  people  to  fresh  revolt.  They  felt  noth- 
ing but  hatred  for  the  Spaniards,  and  in  their 
youthful  confidence  hoped  for  final  victory.  Inca 
Condor  was  their  leader. 

The  others,  the  party  of  older,  exj^erienced  men, 
saw  that  further  resistance  would  be  completely 
useless.  They  looked  down  upon  Condor's  heroic 
deeds  with  a  certain  depreciation,  for  these  little 
skirmishes  in  whi(!h  three  or  four  Spaniards  were 
killed  did  not  change  the  political  situation  in 


WITH    JMZARRO    IX    PKKU.  1.09 

the  sliglitest.  Tlie  number  of  really  capable  war- 
riors in  Yileabaniba  did  not  amount  to  more  than 
ten  thousand.  The  Spaniards  had  already  de- 
feated the  army  of  the  Inca  when  live  times 
stronger,  and  now  they  were  more  to  Ije  dreaded 
than  ever.  They  were  also  gradually  "winning 
allies  among  the  Indians. 

The  realm  of  the  four  suns  had  originated  by 
conquests,  by  the  subjugation  of  single  tribes. 
Formerly  all  these  different  elements  had  been 
united  by  common  laws;  now  the  bond  was  loos- 
ened, and  the  tribes  along  the  coast  submitted  to 
their  fate.  They  began  to  make  common  cause 
with  the  Spaniards  against  the  Inca,  in  the  ap- 
parently justified  hope  of  thereby  improving  their 
condition. 

The  deplorable  state  of  affairs,  the  need  which 
threatened  him  face  to  face  in  Vilcabamba,  has 
alreadj^  been  referred  to. 

Inca  Manco  listened  to  both  parties.  Up  to  this 
time  he  had  preserved  silence,  but  the  party  of 
elder  men  believed  that  the  Inca  inclined  more  to 
their  views.  They  now  ascribed  the  Inca's  treat- 
ment of  this  Spaniard  who  had  so  suddenly  ap- 
peared among  them,  and,  more  than  this,  was 
decorated  with  the  Inca's  protecting  token,  to 
this  fact. 


160  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PEKU. 

Condor  remained  in  his  apartments  for  the  rest 
of  the  day,  but  his  friends  went  among  the  sol- 
diers, listened  to  their  talk,  and  fanned  the  flame. 
They  brought  the  general  faithful  reports  of  the 
army's  feeling  uj)on  this  subject.  From  captain  to 
private,  all  were  enraged  that  on  this  day  the  Inca 
had  preferred  a  Spaniard  to  the  courageous  rescuer 
of  the  fatherland.  Inca  Condor  now  knew  that  he 
did  not  stand  alone  in  the  valley  of  Vilcabamba. 
In  his  eyes,  Inca  Manco  was  now  a  cowardly,  good- 
for-nothing  ruler,  who  cherished  the  intention  of 
making  i)eace  with  the  Spaniards.  Condor  could 
no  longer  endure  life  in  the  capital.  He  hated 
Aclia  now,  since  she  clung  to  the  Spaniard. 
He  set  out  on  one  of  his  expeditions,  that  he  might 
cool  his  hatred  with  Spanish  blood.  Inca  Manco 
let  him  go,  but  commanded  him  to  return  in  a 
week. 

As  imperial  gold-maker  Amador  was  of  neces- 
sity brought  in  contact  with  the  Peruvian  artifi- 
cers, so  that  he  might  have  the  necessary  supplies 
of  gold  and  silver  amalgam  x)laced  at  his  disposal. 
As  he  obtained  a  deeper  insight  of  the  interesting 
methods  of  this  joeculiar  industry,  his  curiosity 
was  so  excited  that  he  even  visited  those  work- 
shops which  were  of  no  use  to  his  undertaking. 

He  saw  the  potters  at  their  work.     The  Peruvian 


WITJl    IMZAiniO   IX    PERU.  161 

pottery  industry,  in  regard  to  maniifucture,  ex- 
celled that  of  all  the  other  peoples  of  America. 
Although  the  Inca  Indians  did  not  have  potter's 
wheels,  they  yet  could  make  utensils  of  extreme 
regularity  of  form.  There  were  vessels  of  the 
coarsest  kind,  which  were  somewhat  similar  to 
the  pottery  of  the  lake  regions  in  olden  times,  and 
carafes  of  exquisite  workmanship,  representing 
men,  animals,  and  plants.  This  species  was  black, 
gray,  or  red,  seldom  yellow  or  blue,  and  were 
baked  in  ovens  and  covered  with  a  transparent 
glaze.  Then  there  were  also  original  speci- 
mens, to  which  the  Spaniards  had. given  the 
name  silbador,  or  pipes,  examples  of  which  can 
be  seen  to-day  in  European  museums.  Amador 
inspected  one  such  specimen  in  astonishment.  It 
consisted  of  two  long-necked  flasks,  joined  to- 
gether in  the  middle.  One  of  the  necks  was 
closed,  and  upon  it  sat  a  small,  prettily  executed 
ligure  of  a  man.  The  other  neck  was  open.  If 
a  licpiid  were  poured  through  the  opening,  the 
air  in  the  other  flask  was  compressed,  and  this 
escaped  with  a  strange  whistle,  whose  tones  imi- 
tated the  cries  of  various  animals,  and  even  the 
human  voice. 
The  art  of  weaving  was  also  highly  developed 

in  Peru.     The  weavers  had  an  excellent  raw  ma- 
il 


162  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

terial  in  the  cotton  which  was  cultivated  in  the 
hot,  moist  valleys,  and  in  the  wool  of  the  llamas, 
alpacas,  and  vicunas,  and  also  understood  the 
art  of  dyeing  in  various  brilliant  colors.  The  cloth 
which  was  prejDared  from  the  wool  of  alpacas  and 
vicunas  could  be  worn  only  by  the  Inca  and  no- 
bles. It  was  of  such  line  texture  and  lustre  that 
it  looked  like  silk,  and  was  at  first  taken  for  silk 
at  the  court  of  the  emperor  Charles  V.  But  Peru- 
vian industry  reached  a  still  higher  j)lane  in  this 
art.  They  took  the  fine  hair  of  the  bat,  and  wove 
from  this  the  finest  and  most  delicate  materials 
for  their  emperor.  These  were  dyed  different 
colors,  and  by  combinations  of  ornaments  and  fig- 
ures the  most  varied  and  tasteful  patterns  were 
made.  Printing  forms  were  even  employed,  partly 
of  bark,  partly  of  burnt  clay.  Fine  garments  w^ere 
ornamented  with  beaten  gold  and  silver,  with  brill- 
iant feathers  and  precious  stones. 

Strangely  enough,  the  use  of  wood  was  not  as 
familiar  to  the  Peruvians  as  that  of  other  sub- 
stances. While  they  knew  how  to  mine  gold,  sil- 
ver, and  copper,  and  prepare  bronze ;  wdiile  they 
built  great  buildings,  although  without  arches, 
they  were  poor  carpenters  and  but  little  skilled 
in  wood-carving.  They  did  not  know  how  to 
build  good  bridges  of  wood,  and  contented  them- 


WITH   riZAllKU   IN   PEKU.  1G3 

selves  with  weak  hanging  bridges.  They  liad  no 
carriages,  no  horses,  the  llama  Avas  their  only  beast 
of  burden ;  but  as  a  rule  these  animals  could  not 
carry  a  load  of  more  than  thirty-five  kilogrammes, 
and  for  the  passing  of  such  animals  with  these 
loads  the  hanging  bridges  or  the  not  especially 
well-built  ferries  sufficed. 

Amador  also  found  a  theatre  in  Vilcabamba. 
The  stage  consisted  of  a  slightly  elevated  room, 
protected  by  a  straw  I'oof  from  the  i-ays  of  the 
sun,  and  to  which  three  or  four  steps  led  from  the 
theatre  itself.  Opposite  the  stage  was  the  box  of 
the  ruler,  also  elevated.  At  the  side  of  the  spec- 
tators' room  were  the  seats  for  the  distinguished 
men  of  the  kingdom,  where  these  took  their  places 
strictly  in  accordance  with  their  rank.  In  the  pit 
were  the  low  wooden  benches  for  the  people.  The 
actors  also  sat  among  the  audience  until  the  time 
for  their  appearance,  and  at  the  end  of  the  scene 
returned  to  their  places.  The  actors  were  more 
honored  in  Peru  than  in  Europe  at  that  time,  for 
the  pieces  which  were  given  in  the  Peruvian  the- 
atre were  historic  spectacles,  in  Avhich  the  great 
deeds  of  their  ancestors  were  glorified,  and  the 
actors  themselves  were  the  most  distinguished 
men  of  the  realm,  and  even  members  of  the  Inca 
family. 


164  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

There  was  also  a  band,  for  the  Peruvians  had 
acquired  a  certain  skill  in  playing  upon  various 
instruments.  Warlike  music  inspired  the  hearts 
of  the  men,  the  gentle  notes  of  the  pipes  excited 
the  women,  and  the  court  band  could  be  sj^ared  as 
little  at  theatrical  performances  as  at  sacrificial 
feasts  and  other  solemnities.  But  the  Peruvians 
had  not  gone  so  far  as  to  have  an  opera.  They 
did  not  know  how  to  sing;  their  throats  were  so 
unmusical  that  even  later  would-be  i^roselyti- 
zers  tried  in  vain  to  teach  them  the  simple  chants 
of  the  church. 

The  poems  Avhich  were  composed  by  ]3oets  ap- 
l)ointed  by  the  state  were,  therefore,  not  sung  but 
recited,  and  according  to  their  subjects  accom- 
panied by  pipes,  zithers,  and  trumpets. 

Behind  the  cloister  of  the  maidens  of  the  sun 
lay  the  workshojos  of  the  goldsmiths.  Here  Ama- 
dor had  now  taken  up  his  quarters.  At  the  Inca's 
command  the  Indians  had  brought  him  a  quan- 
tity of  cinnabar  and  gold  ore. 

He  roasted  the  cinnabar,  caught  the  quicksilver 
in  clay  retorts,  had  the  ore  ground  u}),  and  finally, 
on  the  sixth  day  of  his  efforts,  he  could  show  the 
Inca  the  first  bit  of  gold  obtained. 

But  during  all  this  time  the  imperial  gold-maker 
did  not  once  catch  a  glimpse  of  Aclia.    According 


WITH    PIZAllRO    IX    PEKU.  105 

to  her  brotlier's  strict  orders,  she  retired  to  the 
cloister  of  the  maidens  of  the  sun,  and  tlie  gokl- 
niaker  must  hrst  succeed  in  the  task  set  him. 

What  liad  passed  between  the  Inca  and  his 
favorite  sister  after  the  decision  of  the  judges,  and 
when  it  was  declared  that  her  hand  no  longer  was 
pledged  to  Condor,  no  one  knew.  No  one  knew  of 
the  j^rayers  of  thankfidness  offered  by  Aclia,  or 
was  present  at  the  long  talks  which  she  had  with 
her  brother,  when  she  poured  out  her  whole  heart 
to  him,  and  told  hirn  all  she  knew  of  the  young 
Spaniard  who  had  won  her  heart.  The  Inca  lis- 
tened to  her  rhapsodies  with  a  melancholy  smile. 
How  had  it  been  possible  for  his  sister  to  forget 
that  this  man,  however  brave  and  noble,  was  yet 
one  of  the  hated  race,  the  enemies  of  her  2;)eople, 
and  their  cruel  oppressors?  But  the  Inca  was 
not  blind  to  the  advantages  which  might  accrue 
to  his  sister  from  this  marriage.  As  the  wife  of 
Condor  she  would  be  an  exile;  she  could  never 
hope  to  leave  these  mountains  unless  peace  were 
made  with  the  Spaniards,  and  Condor  woidd  never 
willingly  make  peace.  Even  should  the  Inca 
make  peace,  he  felt  sure  that  Condor  would  never 
submit  to  the  Spaniards. 

Once  married  to  a  Spaniard  her  future  was  se- 
cured in  any  case,  thought  the  Inca,  who  saw  only 


166  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

too  plainly  that  the  time  was  coming  when  this 
little  valley  would  no  longer  support  the  vast 
numbers  which  flocked  to  it  as  to  a  place  of  refuge. 

And  then  Amador  had  sent  word  that  he  had 
succeeded ;  he  stood  before  the  Inca  triumphant, 
he  had  kept  his  word. 

"  I  now  believe  everything  that  you  told  Aclia," 
said  the  Indian  emperor.  "I  will  make  peace 
with  the  Spaniards.  Return  to  your  new  vice- 
roy, and  tell  him  that  I  will  surrender  to  him  if 
he  will  share  the  government  of  the  land  with  me 
as  with  my  predecessors.  Let  him  make  propo- 
sals to  me.  If  he  imposes  conditions  which  I  can- 
not agree  to,  I  will  turn  to  desperate  remedies, 
and  will  once  more  call  all  the  Indians  of  Peru  to 
arms.  But  if  you  fulfil  my  wishes,  I  will  reward 
you  by  making  you  ruler  of  this  valley,  and  will 
give  you  my  sister  Aclia  to  Avife." 

Thus  Amador  felt  that  he  had  indeed  come  to 
Vilcabamba  at  the  most  i:)ropitious  moment.  Oh, 
had  he  but  wings,  that  he  might  fly  to  Vaca  de 
Castro  in  Lima!  But  the  distance  was  great,  he 
must  return  by  the  same  path  by  which  he  had 
come.  The  Inca  gave  the  guard  at  the  ravine 
orders  to  allow  liim  to  pass  unmolested. 

He  did  not  delay.  He  could  not  see  Aclia  even 
for  a  moment,  for  the  Inca  wished  to  keep  the 


WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU.  107 

arrangement  secret.  Amador  was  to  leave  the 
answer  in  the  cave,  it  was  agreed  upon,  and  the 
Inca  would  have  it  fetched  from  there.  The  people 
were  merely  to  suppose  that,  in  consideration  of 
Amador's  having  rescued  Aclia,  the  Inca  had  al- 
lowed him  simply  to  depart  unhamied. 

Thus  the  sly  Indian  ruler  wished  to  favor  openly 
neither  of  the  two  parties  in  his  kingdom  until 
he  knew  certainly  what  he  could  expect  of  the 
new  viceroy. 

Amador  pleaded  in  vain  for  one  short  interview^, 
however  brief,  were  it  in  the  presence  of  the  Inca 
himself,  but  the  ruler  refused  decidedly.  The 
risk  was  too  great  to  run.  His  plans  must  not  be 
learned  now,  or  their  f ultilment  might  be  rendered 
utterly  impossible.  The  sooner  Amador  returned 
to  the  cave  with  the  Spanish  viceroy's  reply,  the 
sooner  he  could  see  Aclia.  Nor  would  the  Inca 
consent  to  bear  any  message  to  Aclia.  Amador 
was  forced  to  submit,  and  hastened  his  prepara- 
tions for  departure. 

The  Inca  communicated  to  a  few  of  his  most 
trustworthy  soldiers  the  fact  that  Amador  de 
Calabrera,  the  Spaniard  who  had  been  of  such 
great  assistance  in  rescuing  Princess  Aclia,  but 
for  whom,  in  fact,  she  might  have  j)erished  in  the 
terrible   snow-storm    in    the   mountains,  and   to 


168  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PERTT. 

whom  lie  had  granted  his  imperial  Jclppu.,  was  to 
be  permitted  to  leave  Yilcabamba  unmolested. 
Thus  the  rejoort  he  desired  would  be  spread  among 
his  people.  They  might  marvel,  perhaps  grumble, 
at  the  clemency  thus  shown,  but  there  would  be 
no  risk  of  exciting  the  terrible  uproar  he  feared 
should  his  true  plans  become  known.  These 
faithful  soldiers  were  to  serve  as  Amador's  escort. 

So  in  the  afternoon  Amador  got  into  a  litter; 
he  was  to  be  carried  in  this  as  far  as  the  guard- 
house. There  he  would  pass  the  night,  and  early 
in  the  morning  would  journey  on  through  the  ra- 
vine to  the  cave,  and  from  thence  to  his  block -hut 
and  to  Huamanca. 

What  would  Alcan,  the  brave  swordsman,  say 
to  his  exx)eriences  ?  Now  he  need  not  conceal  from 
him  all  his  recent  adventures;  he  could  tell  him 
that  there  really  was  a  path  over  those  mountains 
to  Vilcabamba. 


XL 


The  negro  whom  Amador  had  sent  bound  to 
his  friend  Alcan  had  not  been  taken  at  once  to 
Huamanca.  Not  until  five  days  after  he  had  been 
sent  away  did  lie  ajipear  before  Alcan's  house, 
not  bound,  but  perfectly  free,  and  gay,  accom- 
panied by  the  two  Indians  as  two  good  friends. 

He  smiled  with  satisfaction,  for  he  had  managed 
beautifully. 

How  astonished  was  Alcan  as  he  listened  to  the 
man's  story ! 

The  negro  had  long  since  made  his  two  Indian 
guards  his  confidants,  and  it  had  not  been  hard 
for  him  to  persuade  them  to  unbind  him  so  that 
he  might  creep  after  his  master.  And  he  did 
creep  after  him.  He  had  followed  him  eyery- 
where  as  far  as  the  rayine  which  led  up  the  moun- 
tain toward  the  summit  of  the  range.  The  negro, 
who  posssessed  no  liippu,  suspected  danger  here. 
He  waited  until  nightfall,  and  then  found  liis  way 
through  the  rayine.     Having  reached  the  sununit 


170  WITH   PIZAEEO   IN   PERU. 

of  the  mountains,  he  climbed  a  tall  bowlder,  and 
lay  here  for  the  rest  of  the  night.  Peeping  out 
from  his  place  of  concealment  the  next  morning, 
to  his  joyful  surprise  he  overlooked  the  distant 
valleys  of  Yilcabamba,  and  could  even  distinguish 
in  the  distance  the  Indian  stations  on  the  rocky 
walls  of  the  ravine,  and  the  guard-house  in  the 
forest. 

Without  moving,  he  remained  all  day  in  his 
hiding-place,  and  as  his  supi)ly  of  provisions  gave 
out,  he  returned  half  starved  and  terribly  thirsty 
to  the  cave,  where  he  refreshed  himself  with  the 
remnant  of  Amador's  supplies. 

"  Fellow,"  cried  Alcan,  "  I  should  never  have 
believed  you  capable  of  this !  So  then  you  are 
good  friends  with  the  Indians  who  lurk  here  along 
our  paths.  Good  friends,  or  else  you  would  not 
have  walked  so  comfortably  and  unharmed  along 
the  mountain  jjath  into  the  lion's  den,  my  fine  Mr. 
Amador  de  Calabrera!  Bravo,  Moor!  You  shall 
guide  us  to  the  x)ath.  Pah !  we  can  easily  over- 
power the  guard-house,  we  have  already  stormed 
other  passes  of  the  Andes.  And  when  we  have 
conquered  the  second  gold  land  of  Peru,  we  can 
settle  down  in  peace  and  spend  the  days  of  our 
old  age  quietly." 

Alcan  would  have  in  fact  at  once  fitted  out  an 


WITH    J'lZAKllO    IN    PERU.  171 

expedition  hud  he  been  in  command  of  a  more 
respectable  troop  in  ])oint  of  numbers,  but  he  liad 
but  fifty  men,  and  he  dared  not  venture  to  attack 
the  Indians  with  such  a  weak  force. 

But  this  was  to  be  a  day  of  surprises  for  Cap- 
tain Alcan.  A  Spanish  trumpet  rang  out  before 
the  house  of  the  governor  of  Huamanca ;  an  or- 
derly came  from  Lima,  and  presented  a  letter 
from  the  new  viceroy  to  Alcan. 

Alcan  opened  it  with  the  greatest  eagerness. 
What  would  the  contents  be?  But  when  he  read 
it  his  face  fairly  shone  with  joy,  for  the  viceroy 
wrote  that  Captain  Alcan  was  to  set  out  to  reduce 
the  Inca  in  his  vallev  of  Vilcabamba  to  submis- 
sion  to  the  Spaniards,  either  by  persuasion  or  force. 
And  for  this  purpose  the  viceroy  sent  a  hundred 
and  fifty  soldiers,  who  Avere  already  on  the  way, 
and  could  be  expected  to  arrive  in  Huamanca  at 
any  moment. 

With  a  hundred  and  eighty  men  Pizarro  had  in 
his  time  conquered  the  first  Peru;  Avith  the  fifty 
men  at  his  disposal  in  Huamanca,  Alcan  had 
twenty  more  with  which  to  conquer  the  second 
Peru, 

He  made  no  delay,  but  began  at  once  to  fit  out 
the  troops  for  their  campaign.  He  would  not  use 
persuasion  with  the  Inca,  for  he  was  a  hard-hearted 


172  WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU. 

opponent,  this  Inca,  who  had  again  and  again  set 
that  Condor  nj)on  them.  Shoukl  Alcan  summon 
the  Inca  to  lay  down  his  arms  and  acl-i-nowledge 
Sx)anish  supremacy,  it  would  but  be  a  w^arning  to 
the  bird  of  prey  in  his  lofty  eyry.  No,  he  would 
surprise  him,  take  this  Indian  ruler  captive;  then 
the  viceroy  could  do  with  him  what  he  would, 
could  put  him  to  death  should  he  still  resist,  for 
the  viceroy  could  then  select  a  more  submissive 
Inca  from  among  the  Indians. 

But  Captain  Alcan  was  forced  to  take  a  lesson 
in  patience.  The  expected  troops  did  not  arrive 
as  quickly  as  he  had  hoped.  Meanwhile  he  sent 
messengers  to  Amador's  log  hut  to  see  whether 
Baron  Amador  de  Calabrera  had  returned  yet 
from  his  expedition  into  the  mountains.  The 
young  man  was  to  be  taken  prisoner,  so  ran  the 
orders ;  but  there  were  no  signs  of  him.  Either  he 
was  well  satisfied  with  life  among  the  Indians,  or 
they  had  taken  him  prisoner. 

Meanwhile  Amador  de  Calabrera  had  arrived 
at  the  guard-house  in  the  ravine.  Evening  was 
already  close  at  hand,  and  the  bearers  returned 
with  the  litter. 

Amador  went  into  the  guard-house.  The  sol- 
diers ceased  talking  as  he  entered.  He  understood 
their  behavior  very  well— he  was  the  rival  of  their 


WITH   PlZAlillO   IN   PERU.  173 

idolized  general ;  they  hated  him,  the  Spaniard, 
who  thought  himself  superior  to  Inca  Condor. 

Amador  walked  to  the  window,  and  looked  out 
into  the  woods.  Twilight  had  descended,  soon  it 
would  be  dark,  and  so  he  looked  about  the  room 
for  a  suitable  night's  resting-place. 

It  grew  (hirker  and  darker.  No  light  burned 
in  the  room,  when  hnally  the  cai:)tain  came  and 
seated  himself  beside  Amador. 

"  Is  it  true  that  Pizarro  is  dead? "  he  asked. 

"It  is  true,"  replied  Amador;  "a  new  viceroy 
now  governs  in  Peru." 

"  And  how  did  he  die? "  asked  the  captain. 

Amador  was  unpleasantly  affected  by  this  ques- 
tion. Should  he  tell  the  Indian  soldiers  of  such 
breach  of  faith  among  the  Sjianiards? 

"  I  was  not  in  Lima  at  the  time,"  he  replied, 
"  and  do  not  know  all  the  particulars,"  and  he 
rose  and  began  pacing  up  and  down  the  room, 
hoping  by  this  to  avoid  unpleasant  questioning; 
but  now  the  soldiers  surrounded  him  and  urged: 
"  Pray  tell  us.    You  surely  must  have  heard!  " 

Amador  perceived  their  game,  and  tried  to  push 
past  them. 

"  Let  me  alone !  "  he  cried  impatiently. 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha  I  "  laughed  the  soldiers.  "  He  does 
not  wish  to." 


174  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

"He  does  not  wish  to?"  cried  the  captain. 
"Then  bind  him!" 

And  at  this  given  signal  ten  arms  chitched  Ama- 
dor in  an  iron  grasj),  and  before  lie  could  look 
round  he  was  bound  hand  and  foot. 

He  was  thrown  upon  the  earth.  The  captain 
tore  the  I'lppu  from  his  breast. 

"  This  rag  can  now  build  a  way  for  us  to  the 
palace,"  he  cried,  "and  you  shall  stay  here,  ac- 
cursed Spaniard ;  for  know  that  from  this  hour 
Inca  Manco  is  no  longer  the  Inca.  He  shall  die, 
the  cowardly  friend  of  the  Spaniards.  Inca  Con- 
dor is  our  ruler,  and  Inca  Condor  will  invite  you 
to  a  wedding  with  Aclia.  You  shall  celebrate  it 
with  the  traitress  uj^on  the  funereal  pyre," 

Derisive  laughter  of  the  soldiers  accompanied 
these  words,  and  the  troop  rushed  out  into  the 
open  air.  But  two  men  remained  to  guard  Ama- 
dor. Soon  after,  other  bound  captives  were 
brought  into  the  room;  they  were  the  secretive 
imperial  tschascis,  who  had  also  been  over- 
powered, so  as  to  break  all  means  of  communica- 
tion of  the  government. 

But  five  men  guarded  these  fresh  captives. 
The  rest  of  the  soldiers  assembled  before  the 
house. 

"The  fires  glow  upon  the  Capac  Mountains!" 


WITH   PIZAUKO   IN   PERU.  175 

cried  tlie  captain.  "  P"'orvvard,  you  cliildren,  for 
Inca  Condor!  " 

"  Inca  Condor!''  rang  from  a  liiindred  throats 
in  tlie  forest.  The  heavy  tread  of  the  sokliers  was 
heard  departing,  then  it  grew  more  and  more 
quiet;  liiially  tlie  last  sound  ceased,  and  only  the 
locusts  could  !)('  heard  in  the  woods. 

The  guards,  who  had  reiiiaiued  standing  by  the 
door  and  windows  looking  after  tlieir  departing 
comrades,  now  kindled  a  light,  and  reassured  the 
captive  tscJiaseis  as  to  their  fate.  "  Be  of  good 
courage,"  said  they,  '*  we  must  leave  you  bound, 
but  the  struggle  will  not  last  long.  All  the  troops 
are  descending  froui  the  mountains  to  advance 
upon  the  palace.  At  nudnight  Inca  Condor  will 
wind  the  %Kiitsclia  about  his  head,  will  become 
our  emperor,  and  then  you  will  be  set  free,  that 
you  may  serve  a  better,  nobler  ruler.  You  will 
then,"'  they  added,  "go  with  us  to  the  city  to  wit- 
ness the  spectacle  of  this  tiaitor  of  a  Spaniard 
meeting  his  death  by  lire,  for  he  shall  die  the  same 
death  which  so  many  of  our  people  have  had 
inflicted  upon  them  by  the  murderous  white 
robbers." 

Then  they  turned  to  Amador,  and  overwhelmed 
him  with  insults  and  scornful   remarks.     They 


176  WITH   PIZAIlliO   IN   PEKU. 

even  actually  attacked  him,  pulling  his  beard  and 
kicking  liim. 

"  Defend  yourself,  wretch,"  they  cried,  "  if  you 
are  a  son  of  the  sun.  You  came  here  to  inform 
yourself  of  our  strength,  and  then  to  lead  the 
Spaniards  into  the  land  by  our  secret  paths.  You 
have  come  to  an  agreement  with  Inca  Manco,  as 
to  how  you  would  ruin  the  remnant  of  the  free 
Inca  land.  But  Condor's  eyes  keep  watch  over 
the  valley  of  Yilcabamba.  Your  j^urposes  have 
been  discovered,  and  you  are  now  a  prisoner  here? 
and  the  secret  of  the  path  is  hidden  now  as  before 
from  the  Sj)aniards.  You  will  receive  your  reward. 
To  be  sure,  you  will  often  appear  at  the  imperial 
table,  for  Inca  Condor  will  surely  drink  from 
your  skull  when  the  festivals  of  the  kingdom  of 
the  four  suns  are  celebrated." 

Amador  bore  all  this  mockery  and  insult  with 
silent  composure.  It  was  clear  to  him  that  he 
would  never  escape  alive  from  this  captivity. 
Only  death  could  set  him  free  from  it,  for  from 
the  sx)eech  of  the  soldiers  he  could  realize  the 
gravity  of  his  position. 

The  chief  power  of  the  Inca  army  was  now 
stationed  at  the  boundaries  of  Vilcabamba,  to 
protect  the  j^asses.    Old  warriors  here  formed  the 


WITH    PIZAUUO    IX    PERU.  177 

mainstay  of  tlie  army;  warriors  who  liad  served 
in  former  campaigns  under  the  hite  Inca,  and  who 
now  looked  up  to  the  young  Inca  Condor,  by  rea- 
son of  his  military  skill,  with  blind  adoration  and 
confidence.  In  the  city  itself  was  stationed  only 
Inca  Manco's  body-guard. 

Without  doubt  Condor  had  undertaken  no  ex- 
peditions against  the  Spaniards  in  the  course  of 
the  last  week.  lie  had  merely  hurried  to  the  va- 
rious passes  to  place  himself  at  the  head  of  his 
rebel  hordes.  If  only  half  or  a  third  of  the  regi- 
ments adhered  to  him  he  would  have  taken  the 
emperor  captive  in  his  cajiital  in  broad  daylight. 
But  now  when  night  came  to  the  assistance  of  his 
gloomy  plans,  the  victory  was  even  more  sure  to 
him.  Amador  knew  that  in  the  city  of  Vilca- 
bamba  no  susj^icions  were  entertained  of  the  at- 
tacking column  which  was  marching  upon  them 
at  that  very  moment. 

Poor  Inca  Manco !  What  a  terrible  awakening 
would  be  his  this  night!  But  more  pitiable  still 
did  the  heli^less  and  weak  maiden  Aclia  appear 
to  Amador,  for  she  was  now  hopelessly  exposed 
to  the  vengeance  of  the  furious  Condor.  Poor 
Aclia!  Worse  torments  were  perhaps  now  in 
store  for  her  than  those  from  which  she  had  fled 

12 


178  WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU. 

at  tlie  court  of  Pizarro.  Would  slie  have  strength 
to  bear  them  ?  In  his  anxiety  for  her  fate,  Ama- 
dor forgot  his  own  unhappy  situation. 

All,  how  slowly  the  hours  of  the  night  passed! 
Midnight  was  long  since  passed.  The  Indian 
guards  crowded  around  the  Avindow,  and  looked 
out  at  the  dark  heavens,  seeking  a  signal  from 
the  city. 

At  last  a  red  light  flashed  up  over  the  tree-toi)s. 
It  grew  brighter  and  brighter;  a  cry  of  joy  came 
from  the  soldiers,  and  they  shouted:  "Inca  Con- 
dor has  conquered.  Long  live  our  emperor, 
Condor!" 

But  what  was  that?  With  these  cries  mingled 
others  which  came  from  the  ravine — a  cry  which 
sounded  like  an  alarm. 

The  soldiers  listened  intently,  but  "the  cry  was 
not  repeated.  One  after  another,  however,  de- 
clared that  he  had  heard  it  distinctly. 

"  It  was  but  an  echo  of  our  call,"  said  a  third. 

"  I  heard  nothing,"  said  a  fourth. 

Finally  they  went  out  in  front  of  the  house  to 
see  what  was  going  on. 

All  was  still  outside.  They  listened.  Then  a 
sound  like  the  creaking  of  heavy  armor  was  heard, 
but  this  sound  came  more  from  the  woods,  not 
from  the  ravine.     Could  their  comrades  who  had 


WITH    PIZARRO   IN   PERU.  179 

hastened  to  the  assistance  of  Inca  Condor  have 
returned  already  ;f     Impossible. 

A  strange  dread  seized  the  commander  of  the 
guard.  The  ravine  was  occupied  l)y  but  tliree 
posts  which  had  not  yet  been  relieved.  All  the 
other  soldiers  had  set  out  against  their  brotlier 
enemies.  Inca  Condor  had  indeed  commanded 
that  but  half  of  the  guards  should  join  his  forces, 
and  tile  other  half  remain  to  occupy  the  ravine. 
But  how  could  the  Spaniards  appear  in  this  pass 
this  night !  No  one  had  wished  to  remain  behind, 
all  wished  to  assist  Inca  Condor  in  his  struggle, 
and  the  rebellion  put  an  end  for  the  time  being  to 
discipline. 

All  this  now  flashed  through  the  mind  of  the 
commander  of  the  weak  force.  He  took  two  men 
with  him  and  resolved  to  make  the  rounds. 

He  challenged  the  nearest  post.     No  answer. 

He  repeated  his  call,  only  his  own  voice  echoed 
from  the  ravine.  He  went  on;  perhaps  the  senti- 
nel had  fallen  asleep. 

But  with  a  piercing  cry  he  started  back,  for  in 
the  dim  starlight  strange  armor  flashed  before  his 
eyes,  and  at  this  moment,  he  and  his  two  compan- 
ions sank  down  under  fierce  sword-thrusts,  given 
them  by  a  half-invisible  enemy. 

Amador  was  roused  from  his  gloomy  thoughts 


180  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

by  this  piercing  cry  of  the  Indians.  What  was 
going  on  out  there?  Did  the  conflict  rage  here 
also?  Had  Inca  Manco  learned  in  time  of  the 
treachery  of  his  general,  and  had  he  been  before 
him?  Amador  had  no  time  to  ponder  upon  this; 
the  thought  merely  flashed  through  his  mind, 
when  suddenly  another  cry  rang  out  in  front  of 
the  house : 

"Santiago!" 

Amador's  heart  beat  rapidly.  Santiago!  Good 
heavens,  that  was  the  battle-cry  of  the  Spaniards! 
Could  his  ears  have  deceived  him?     No. 

"  Santiago !  "  rang  out  a  second  time,  and  this 
time  he  could  i)lainly  distinguish  the  clashing  of 
Spanish  arms.  What  a  heavenly  sound  to  the  ear 
of  the  captive!  Had  God  sent  his  brothers  to  his 
rescue? 

"Santiago!"  now  cried  a  single  voice.  Ah, 
Amador  knew  it  well,  it  was  Alcan's  deep  voice. 
"  Santiago !  "  cried  the  old  swordsman.  "  The  two 
dogs  are  dead  before  they  had  a  chance  to  light 
the  signal  Are  to  alarm  Vilcabamba.  But  it  is  ac- 
cursedly still  in  there.  Can  those  three  men  have 
been  the  entire  guard?  Be  careful,  men,  there  is 
a  light  burning  in  there." 

"Alcan— Santiago!— Alcan!"  cried  Amador  at 

the  top  of  his  voice. 


AVT'I'ir    I'l/AIMtO    IN'    PKIirj.  181 

"Hello,"  said  Alctin,  "was  not  tliat  Spanish? 
Alcan,  Santiafijo?"  Then  he  called  out:  "In  the 
name  of  the  blessed  Trinity,  are  }'oli  a  Spaniard 
or  a  ghost?    Answer!" 

"  I  am  Amador  de  Cahibrera.  Come  in,  Alcan, 
there  are  only  bound  men  here.  Come  quickly 
and  loose  my  bonds.     War  rages  in  \'ilcabamba." 

"Yes,  that  is  his  voice!"  cried  Alcan.  ''For- 
ward, comrades!  Protect  yourselves  with  your 
shields.     Santiago!     Beware  of  treachery!" 

Covering  himself  with  his  shield,  Alcan  stei)23ed 
cautiously  through  the  doorway,  and  into  the  in- 
terior of  the  guard-house.  He  surveyed  the  strange 
scene  in  astonishment.  Where  he  had  thought  to 
find  a  fierce  enemy  in  the  background,  he  now  saw 
six  bound  Indian  runners,  and  his  comrade  Ama- 
dor in  the  same  helpless  condition.  He  quickly 
drew  his  dagger,  and  while  he  cut  the  cords  with 
which  Amador's  hands  and  feet  were  bound,  he 
said  to  him  quickly:  "I  am  here  with  two  hun- 
dred men.  I  wish  to  take  the  Inca  prisoner.  Do 
you  know  the  way?  Take  us  there  quickly,  so 
that  we  may  take  advantage  of  the  darkness." 

Amador  sprang  up  and  threw  his  arms  around 
Alcan's  neck. 

"No  childishness! "  cried  the  captain  roughly. 
"  To  business,  cavalryman.     Report !  " 


182  AVTTTI   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

Amador  brietly  related  what  he  had  learned 
during  the  night. 

"  Inca  Condor  must  have  conquered,"  he  fin- 
ished his  report.  "The  Indians  said  so.  You 
will,  therefore,  find  the  whole  army  united  in  the 
valley  of  the  capital  cit}^  But  we  can  never  reach 
it  before  dawn." 

"Excellent!"  cried  Alcan.  "Then  the  second 
conquest  of  Peru  has  its  Huascar  and  Atahualpa. 
Forward,  then !  Fifty  men  can  occupy  the  pass, 
a  hundred  and  fifty  will  suffice  to  storm  the  city." 

"  Leave  no  one  here  behind,  take  them  all  with 
you,"  Amador  said  warningly.  "  The  enemy  is 
stronger  than  you  think." 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  good  advice,  dear  Ama- 
dor," replied  Alcan,  "  but  I  have  no  desire  to  be 
bound  like  you.  Pah,  one  Spaniard  is  sufficient 
against  a  thousand  Indians.  We  liave  muskets. 
We  will  wake  the  thunder  in  the  valleys  of  Vil- 
cabamba !  "  He  went  out  of  the  guard-house  and 
arranged  his  troops.  He  himself  marched  at  their 
head,  with  Amador. 

The  way  through  the  forest  was  broad  and  de- 
serted. They  reached  the  nearest  post  station. 
Here  too  the  runners  were  bound. 

"Excellent!"  cried  Alcan.  "All  honor!  The 
rebellion  was  excellently  i)lanned.     Ah,  Inca  Con- 


WITH    PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 


183 


dor  understands  such  matters.  But  he  had  no 
suspicion  that  he  luid  smoothed  the  way  for  us. 
We  will  come  very  unannounced!  " 

He  granted  the  soldiers  a  short  rest,  and  com- 
manded them  to  take  some  refreshment.  At  the 
lirst  break  of  dawn  he  pushed  forward. 


XII. 


At  the  hour  when  Amador  had  prepared  to 
leave  the  city,  Inca  Manco  had  left  his  apartments 
and  gone  to  the  temple  of  the  sun. 

He  had  first  x>lucked  flowers  in  his  garden  and 
twigs  from  the  bushes.  When  his  courtiers  saw 
this  they  withdrew,  for  they  knew  that  their  em- 
peror was  about  to  perfoini  some  act  of  worship 
at  which  no  one  could  be  present. 

Inca  Manco  opened  a  small  door  in  the  wall 
which  surrounded  the  temple  and  entered  the 
sacred  garden,  in  which  stood  gilded  trees  and 
statues  of  animals.  In  comparison  with  the  golden 
garden  which  had  once  existed  in  Cuzco,  this  was 
but  the  work  of  a  bungler,  and  Inca  Manco  sighed 
as  he  gazed  around  it  and  thought  of  the  former 
wealth  and  magnificence  of  the  temples  of  Peru. 

Through  this  garden  flowed  a  small  brook,  and 
toward  this  the  Inca  turned  his  steps.  His 
thoughts  were  now  occupied  with  the  sun-god; 
he  confessed  his  sins  to  him  and  then  threw  the 


WITH    I'IZAIIIK)    \S   VVAIV.  185 

bundle  of  twigs  wliicli  lie  had  broken  into  the 
water.  As  the  stream  carried  away  this  bundle,  so 
should  his  sins  be  taken  away  from  him. 

The  anxious  ruler  turned  to  the  temple,  his 
heart  somewhat  relieved  of  its  burden  of  care.  In 
the  entrance  hall  stood  priests,  who  now  bowed 
deeply  before  the  descendant  of  the  sun.  They 
remained  behind,  allowing  the  Inca  to  pass  alone 
through  a  suite  of  chapels,  richly  decorated  with 
gold,  these  chapels  being  consecrated  to  different 
stars  of  the  heavens,  until  finally  he  entered  the 
chief  sanctuary.  This  also  was  an  imitation  of 
the  famous  temple  of  Cuzco.  All  the  walls  and 
doors  were  richly  covered  with  gold;  upon  the 
Avail  lying  oi^posite  the  entrance,  rose  the  huge 
likeness  of  the  sun-god,  the  son  of  the  creator  of 
the  world,  whom  the  Peruvians  particularly  wor- 
shipped and  from  whom  the  Inca  was  supposed 
to  be  descended.  It  was  the  size  of  a  wagon- 
wheel;  the  golden  rays  radiating  from  it  were 
thickly  studded  with  turquoises  and  emeralds. 

At  the  right  and  left  of  the  great  image  of  the 
sun  sat  two  viallaclils,  or  Inca  mummies,  on 
golden  stools,  robed  in  their  imperial  splendor, 
with  bowed  heads  and  arms  crossed  over  their 
breasts.  A  thin  bit  of  gold- leaf  covered  their 
dried  eyes,  their  feet  rested  upon  the  gold  plat- 


186  AVITII    PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

form  which  in  life  had  served  the  same  purpose 
for  tliem,  and  iixDon  whicli  the  golden  stools  also 
rested. 

These  were  the  only  mummies  of  the  many 
glorious  but  departed  emperors  which  the  Peru- 
vians had  been  able  to  save  from  Spanish  greed 
and  bring  with  their  adornments  to  the  valley  of 
Vilcabamba.  They  sat  there  before  the  sun  im- 
age, united  .in  death  with  their  ancestor,  for  the 
first  Inca,  the  people  believed,  was  a  son  of  the  sun 
god  who  had  been  sent  to  the  earth  to  make  the 
people  of  Peru  happy. 

Golden  rays  of  the  sun  shone  into  the  temple 
and  lit  up  the  image  of  the  god. 

"  O  mighty  god,"'  said  the  Inca,  "  I  know  the 
command  which  thou  gavest  to  my  ancestors,  thy 
children.  '  When  yoa  have  converted  this  un- 
happy people ! '  thou  saidst  to  them :  '  You  may 
rule  over  them.  Rule  with  kindness,  mildness, 
consideration,  and  j  iistice.  Consider  yourself  their 
good  parents,  your  subjects  as  your  dear  children. 
Take  example  from  me,  your  father,  who  shows 
kindness  to  the  whole  world,  lets  his  light  and 
radiance  shine  over  every  one,  so  that  men  may 
see  and  pursue  their  various  occupations.  I  warm 
them  when  it  is  cold,  I  let  their  seed  and  harvest 
prosper,  their  trees  bear  fruit,  their  herds  increase ; 


WITH    I'IZAIIKo    IN    PEIITT.  187 

I  send  rain  and  clear  weather  in  due  season;  eacli 
day  I  travel  around  the  world  to  ascertain  the 
needs  of  every  land,  and  suj)ply  the  inhabitants 
with  what  they  need— I,  the  all-powerful  bene- 
factor of  humanity.  You  must  copy  my  example, 
for  you  are  my  children,  sent  on  earth  by  me, 
solely  and  alone  to  convert  those  unfortunate 
people  who  live  like  animals,  and  to  show  them 
kindness.  I  have  made  you  rulers  and  kings  so 
that  you  may  convert  these  people.by  persuasion, 
and  subjugate  them  by  your  good  works  and  just 
government.' 

" O  god  of  the  sun,  we  have  faithfully  obeyed 
thy  commands.  The  kingdom  of  the  Incas  was 
flourishing,  and  all  just  j)ersons  w.thin  its  bounds 
were  happy  and  at  peace.  But  these  strange  men 
have  destroyed  all,  our  armies  ha\e  been  scattered 
l)y  them  like  spray  before  the  wind.  O  Lord, 
are  they  too  thy  sons  ?  Dost  thou  really  command 
that  we  bow  before  them,  and  suri'ender  the  rule 
to  them?  Give  me  a  sign,  O  Lord,  whether  I  shall 
make  peace  with  them ;  let  my  priests  divine  truly 
thy  will  from  the  intestines  of  the  sacrificial  ani- 
mals ;  and  graciously  accept  these  flowers  and  the 
incense  which  1  burn  before  j^ou  in  child-like  love." 

AVitli  these  words,  the  Inca  laid  the  flowers 
down  before  the  altar.     Then  he  seized  a  golden 


188  WITH   PIZAERO   ITi   PERU. 

concave  mirror,  went  iii^  to  the  altar,  lit  uj)  by  the 
rays  of  the  sun,  and  by  means  of  these  rays  re- 
flected in  the  mirror  he  lighted  several  bushels  of 
dried  cotton,  and  with  this  kindled  the  sacriflcial 
flame,  in  which  he  strewed  incense. 

After  the  Inca  had  completed  the  sacrifice,  he 
passed  through  a  door  which,  contrary  to  all  the 
others,  was  covered  with  plates  of  silver,  into  an 
adjoining  chapel.  This  was  consecrated  to  the 
Killia,  or  goddess  of  the  moon  and  queen  of  the 
heavens.  Her  silver  image  adorned  the  wall,  and 
the  chapel  was  decorated  with  silver  alone.  Sil- 
ver was  consit^ered  the  symbol  of  moonlight,  in 
distinction  from  gold,  which  was  an  attribute 
of  the  sun.  Tie  goddess  of  the  moon  and  queen 
of  the  heavens  was  the  Incas'  protecting  goddess 
of  married  won.en,  and  so  the  mummies  of  the 
wives  of  former  emperors  sat  here,  richly  robed, 
in  their  silver  chairs. 

This  chapel  was  not  empty  like  the  others. 
Among  the  forms  of  dead  empresses  stood  a  slen- 
der maiden's  form  robed  in  dazzlingly  white  gar- 
ments, and  gazed  mournfully  at  the  image  of  the 
silver  goddess. 

She  did  not  hear  Inca  Manco  aioproach  her  over 
the  softly  carpeted  floor. 

He  watched  her  for  a  while,  then  softly  laid  his 


AVITII    PIZAltUo    IX    I'EKU.  189 

hand  on  her  shoukler.  She  started  as  thougli 
waking  from  a  dream,  and  turned  toward  Inm 
in  affright. 

"Ah,  it  is  YOU,  my  brother!  "  cried  she,  in  a  re- 
lieved tone. 

"  My  sister,"  he  replied,  "  dearest  of  all  my  sis- 
ters, it  is  well  that  in  this  hour  you  also  i)ray  to 
the  gods  of  the  Incas.  We  always  need  their 
X)rotection,  and  they  will  perhaps  graciously  give 
me  a  sign  in  these  sad  hours." 

Aclia  pondered  for  a  while,  then  she  said  softly : 
"  O  my  brother,  there  are  many  signs  which  the 
gods  give  us.  The  priests  think  that  with  the 
intestines  of  sacrificed  animals  they  can  read  the 
future,  but  the  Almighty  God  in  Heaven  has  placed 
a  warning  voice  in  the  hearts  of  His  children. 
When  we  waver,  these  voices  speak,  and  whoever 
can  renounce  the  deceit  of  the  w^orld,  hears  in  his 
heart  the  voice  by  Avhich  God  speaks  to  him." 

"  It  needs  must  be  a  prophet  who  can  read  the 
future  in  his  own  bosom,"  replied  Inca  Manco. 
"  This  grace  is  lacking  in  me.  I  mav  not  cast  a 
proi)hetic  gaze  into  the  future.  I  struggle  with  a 
thousand  doubts.  The  future  of  my  people  lies 
dark  before  me,  and  I  do  not  know  whither  to  lead 
them,  whether  to  battle,  which  may  end  in  defeat, 
or  to  peace,  Avhich  imposes  upon  us  a  disgraceful 


190  WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU. 

dominion.  Tell  me,  my  sister,  liow  do  tlie  Span- 
iards pray  to  their  God?  Have  tliey  no  reverence 
for  sanctuaries,  that  they  thus  plunder  our  tem- 
ples? Whom  do  they  put  in  the  i)lace  of  the  sun, 
which  yet  is  visible  to  all? " 

"  My  brother,"  replied  Aclia,  "  you  know  your- 
self that  the  sun-god  Intli  did  not  create  the  world. 
According  to  the  belief  of  our  fathers  he  is  the 
son  of  the  creator  of  the  world,  Pachacamac,  to 
whom  we  formerly  built  no  temjDle,  whom  we  hon- 
ored in  every  place,  since  he  is  omnipresent  by 
day  as  well  as  by  night.  Such  an  all-powerful, 
omnipresent  God,  creator  of  heaven  and  earth, 
do  the  Spaniards  worship).  As  in  primeval  times 
Pachacamac  took  compassion  upon  the  savage 
people  of  Peru  and  sent  his  children,  Manco  Capac 
and  Mama  Aclia,  to  make  them  happy,  even  so 
did  the  God  of  the  Christians,  the  Creator  of 
the  world.  More  than  a  thousand  years  ago  He 
sent  His  Son  on  earth,  to  bring  liai)piness  to  all 
men." 

"And  this  Son  of  God  conquered  the  distant 
country  of  the  Spaniards,  and  established  His  do- 
minion there.  He  taught  the  Spaniards  to  forge 
iron,  and  to  wield  thunder  and  lightning  in  bat- 
tle. He  taught  them  to  build  the  great  sea-houses 
in  which,  driven  by  the  wind,  they  traverse  the 


WITH    I'IZAUItn    IN    rKHir.  I'-M 

boundless  seas.     Tn  truth,  He  was  a  miglity  Son  of 
God,  this  ancestor  of  tlie  Spanish  emperors." 

"  You  are  mistaken,  my  brother,"  replied  Aclia, 
"  The  Christian's  Son  of  God  did  not  cover  Himself 
with  the  "lorv  of  warlike  deeds  and  wise  inven- 
tions.  He  did  indeed  wear  a  crown,  but  it  was  a 
crown  not  of  gold  and  jewels,  but  of  thorns,  which 
men  pressed  down  upon  His  head.  When  He 
came  among  men  and  announced  His  heavenly 
mission,  but  a  chosen  few  believed  Him;  the 
people  rose  against  Him,  martyred  and  crucilied 
Him.  He  died,  but  on  the  third  day  He  rose  again 
from  the  dead,  and  then  ascended  to  Heaven,  to 
His  divine  Father." 

Inca  Manco  shook  his  head.  "And  what  did  He 
teach,"  he  asked  his  sister,  "  that  so  enraged  the 
people  with  Him?" 

"He  taught,"  said  Aclia  slowly,  "that  all  men 
were  children  of  one  and  the  same  Father,  the 
Almighty  God  of  heaven,  and  should,  therefore, 
love  each  other  as  brothers  and  sisters.  He 
taught  that  men  should  forgive  their  enemies,  love 
them,  not  hate  them;  and  that  after  deatli  a  new 
life  begins  for  us,  for  that  our  souls  are  immortal. 
He  promised  that  those  who  are  good  and  keep 
His  commandments  shall  enter  into  the  Heavenly 
Father's  mansions,  there  to  live  in  perpetual  hap- 


192  WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU. 

piness,  but  the  wicked  lie  threatened  with  the 
torments  of  eternal  damnation." 

"Aclia,"  cried  Inca  Manco,  "our  old,  sacred  Inca 
belief  is  surely  much  prouder  and  more  beautiful. 
I  would  not  exchange  it  for  the  belief  of  the  Chris- 
tians." 

"  There  are  many  points  of  similarity  in  both 
beliefs,"  replied  Aclia,  "and  yet  there  is  a  vast 
difference  between  them.  According  to  the  be- 
lief of  the  Christians,  our  earthly  existence  is  but 
a  time  of  probation,  from  which  the  good  enter 
into  eternal  bliss.  I  think  this  belief  must  have 
a  consoling  power  in  certain  conditions  of  life. 
Imagine  an  emperor  overthrown  from  the  summit 
of  his  power  by  his  enemies,  dragged  a  captive  to 
far-off  lauds,  exposed  to  humiliations  of  every 
kind.  What  torments  such  a  dethroned,  humil- 
iated emperor  must  suffer!  But  if  he  knows  that 
our  short  earthly  life  is  but  a  time  of  probation ; 
that  the  Heavenly  Father  above  rewards  not  vic- 
tories in  war,  but  only  the  virtues  of  the  heart 
with  eternal  happiness;  then  if  he  has  lived  a  vir- 
tuous life,  tlie  sj^lendor  of  the  thi'one  will  seem 
nothing  to  him  in  comparison  to  the  perpetual 
radiance  above.  Then  he  will  bear  his  suffer- 
ings and  humiliations  in  silent  submission,  for 
he  knows  that  the  more  he  has  been  tried  here 


WITH    I'lZAKKU    IN    PERU.  193 

on  earth  by  God,  the  happtier  will  he  be  in 
eternity." 

"  In  truth  a  strange  belief,"  said  Inca  Manco. 
"  Oh,  it  does  not  surprise  me  that  the  Spaniards 
wish  to  force  it  upon  my  people !  That  would  in- 
deed be  a  high  consolation  for  tortured,  persecuted 
beings.  But,  Aclia,  they  themselves  do  not  act  in 
accordance  with  this  belief.  Their  hearts  cling  to 
the  glories  of  this  world.  They  indulge  in  the 
grossest  lusts — they  are  murderers  and  robbers." 

"  They  are  such  against  the  commands  of  their 
priests,  and  according  to  their  religion  they  will 
be  punished  by  God's  anger.  Such  deeds  as  they 
have  committed  here  are  forbidden  by  the  teach- 
ings of  Christ,  for  the  Son  of  God  came  not  to  the 
Spaniards  alone  but  to  all  the  people  of  the  earth, 
and  in  His  j)rophecies  it  can  be  read  that  some 
day  all  the  people  of  the  earth  will  profess  this 
belief.  jSlighty  gods  of  other  peoples  have  sunken 
in  the  dust  before  this  teaching.  The  time  of  ful- 
lilment  is  at  hand.  Do  you  not  suspect  it,  dear 
brother?  A  powerful  army  has  raged  like  a  storm 
over  Peru,  but  the  clouds  will  scatter,  the  sun 
will  once  more  shine  out  victoriously,  and  upon 
the  ruins  a  new  purer  world  will  arise.  Spaniards 
and    Indians  will  clasp  each  other's    hands  as 

brothers.    All  wiU  be  better  in  the  land  of  the 
^3 


194  WITH    PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

four  suns,  and  liappy  will  be  the  ruler  under  whose 
sceptre  this  change  shall  be  effected." 

Inca  Manco  drew  back  from  his  sister  pale  and 
alarmed,  "Aclia,"  he  cried  in  a  trembling  voice, 
"  your  words  announce  misery,  you  prophesy  the 
downfall  of  the  gods  of  Peru.  Unliapx)y  girl,  you 
defame  them  in  their  holy  sanctuary.  I  have  mis- 
understood you,  Aclia,  have  I  not?  You  merely 
repeated  Avhat  has  been  told  you;  you  will  offer 
to  the  silver  goddess  of  the  moon,  in  child-like 
love,  the  sacrifice  she  demands,  will  you  not? 
Aclia,  have  you  forgotten  that  those  who  defame 
the  gods  are  burned  to  death  before  the  temj)les 
of  the  gods  they  have  defied? " 

She  remained  perfectly  calm,  and  with  a  peace- 
ful smile  she  answered  her  brother:  "Here  I 
am,  dear  brother.  You  may  order  me  to  be  sac- 
rificed. I  will  think  of  the  Son  of  God  whom  men 
crucified.  I  know  that  death  will  but  open  to  me 
the  portals  of  everlasting  rapture." 

"Apostate!"  cried  Inca  Manco  in  an  agonized 
voice,  and  covered  his  face. 

"AVhy  do  you  despair,  my  brother?"  continued 
Aclia.  "In  Pachacamac,  in  Ciizco,  in  a  hundred 
other  places,  the  gods  of  Peru  are  overthrown. 
You  yourself  despaired  of  their  power  in  this 
moment.    You  were  right,  my  brother.    You  are 


WITH    riZAIlKO    IX    I'KRU.  195 

called  to  convert  your  people  to  the  new  God,  so 
that  murder  and  pillage  may  cease  in  Peru  and 
love  may  prevail  among  mankind." 

He  stared  at  her  for  a  long  time.  Aclia's  words 
had  opened  a  new  world  to  him,  had  told  him  of 
a  belief  which  could  afford  a  hard-pressed  man, 
such  as  he  was,  true  consolation.  But  at  this  mo- 
ment the  forms  of  Pizarro,  Almagro,  and  the 
shades  of  Atahualpa  and  thousands  of  murdered 
Indians  rose  to  his  mind.  He  drew  back  from  his 
sister  in  horror,  and  said  gloomily:  "Deluded 
girl,  at  this  price  no  Tnca  Avill  make  peace.  Now 
I  know  what  I  must  do.  Battle  is  my  decision, 
should  I  even  be  left  lying  dead  under  the  ruins 
of  this  temple.  Avaunt,  apostate !  "  he  then  cried. 
"Await  ^'our  punishment  in  the  cloister  of  the 
maidens  of  the  sun." 

"May  God  enlighten  you,  brother!"  said  she, 
and  went  slowly  away. 

Inca  Manco  gazed  after  her  gloomily. 


XIII. 


In  tlie  palace  of  Inca  Manco  the  courtiers  waited 
for  their  sovereign.  The  evening  repast  was  ready, 
but  he  did  not  apx)ear.  He  still  tarried  in  the 
temple  of  the  sun-god,  but  he  no  longer  stood  in 
the  holy  of  holies,  but  remained  in  the  broad  sac- 
rificial hall,  surrounded  by  the  priests. 

The  nacacs,  or  temple  slaughterers,  dragged  in 
the  animals  ax)pointed  for  sacrifice.  Llamas  of 
black  fleece,  the  color  most  acceptable  to  the  sun- 
god.  They  brought  these  animals  before  the  chief 
priest,  who  w^as  present  in  all  the  splendor  of  his 
ofiicial  robes,  a  long,  da.rk  garment  without  sleeves, 
and  a  girdle;  over  this  a  white  garment,  also  with- 
out sleeves,  reaching  to  the  knees,  and  ornamented 
with  gold  and  precious  jewels,  and  bordered  at 
the  bottom  with  a  red  fringe  of  the  finest  wool. 
Both  bare  arms  were  loaded  with  golden  bracelets 
studded  with  jewels;  on  the  left  arm  hung,  fast- 
ened to  the  broadest  bracelet,  a  little  concave 
golden  mirror,  by  means  of  which  the  sacred  fire 


WITH   PIZAUUO   IX   PKRTJ.  197 

of  the  sun  temple  was  kindled.  AVliite  sandals 
of  the  linest  wool  encased  the  feet.  Ui)on  his 
head  he  wore  a  tiara,  above  which  rested  a  golden 
diadem,  thickly  studded  with  emeralds  and 
adorned  with  a  golden  sun  and  gay  araras  feath- 
ers, which  diadem  was  fastened  under  the  chin  by 
a  crescent  of  gold. 

Around  the  chief  priest  were  assembled  the 
hamurpas^  or  augurs,  who  x^i'edicted  the  future 
from  the  stars,  the  liiglit  of  birds,  and  the  smok- 
ing intestines  of  the  sacrificed  animals. 

To-day  the  oldest  liamiirpa  was  to  render  this 
service  to  the  gloom 3^  Inca  standing  at  his  side. 

The  chief  priest  designated  one  of  the  young 
llamas.  Four  nacacs  seized  it  by  the  legs,  for  it 
was  forbidden  to  bind  sacrificial  animals,  threw 
it  to  the  ground,  turned  its  head  toward  the  east, 
and  opened  its  left  side.  The  Jiamurpa  advanced, 
and  tore  out  the  intestines,  that  he  might  read 
the  future.  He  coidd  have  seen  nothing  favorable, 
for  his  face  darkened. 

A  second  llama  was  seized  and  the  same  per- 
formance enacted.  The  Jiamurpa  discovered  signs 
of  misfortune  alone  in  this  second  trial. 

The  gods  also  announced  misfortune  by  the  in- 
testines of  the  third  animal,  and  the  eldest  liam- 
urpa  began  his  s^ieech.     "Misfortune  threatens 


198  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

thee,  0  Inca!  The  enemy  tarries  in  thy  imme- 
diate vicinity.  He  has  risen  against  Intli  and 
against  thee.  Only  through  the  death  of  the  de- 
famer  of  tlie  gods  can  the  misfortune  be  averted." 

A  fearful  cry  of  misery  and  grief  from  all  pres- 
ent, both  priests  and  slaughterers,  concluded  the 
speech  of  the  augur. 

Inca  Manco  grew  pale.  He  knew  what  sacrifice 
the  priests  required  of  him,  but  he  loved  his  sister 
too  deeply  to  allow  her  to  be  put  to  death.  Her 
words  had  roused  him  to  great  excitement.  He 
too  traced  the  tokens  of  a  new  era.  The  god  of 
the  Spaniards  was  mightier  than  the  sun-god. 
The  conflict  raging  within  him  was  not  yet  de- 
cided. The  enemy  tarried  in  his  immediate  vicin- 
ity, so  said  the  augur.  That  was  no  new  idea  for 
Inca  Manco,  he  had  long  carried  it  in  his  bosom. 
He  had  wished  to  suppress  it,  but  it  burst  forth 
with  even  more  violence.  Inca  Manco  knew  this 
enemy — he  was  Inca  Condor,  the  darling  of  the 
army. 

To-day  was  the  eighth  day,  upon  which  he  had 
been  commanded  to  return  by  Inca  Manco.  Who- 
ever did  not  obey  the  emperor's  command  w^as 
punished  with  death,  whether  he  were  of  high  or 
low  degree.  Blind  obedience  to  the  emperor  was 
the  first  command  in  the  land  of  the  Incas. 


WITir    PIZAUIIO    IX    rKRLT.  109 

Tlie  sun  was  setting.  The  Inca  entered  the  din_ 
ing  hall,  his  eyes  scanned  the  assembly.  Condor 
was  missing.  ''Tell  Condor  to  come  and  report 
himself  to  me!  ■'  he  commanded  one  of  his  high 
officers. 

The  man  stood  there  in  confusion. 

"  Mighty  rider,  Condor  has  not  yet  returned." 

Inca  Manco  frowned;  he  gazed  out  at  the  top  of 
the  mountain,  upon  which  the  last  rays  of  the  sun 
rested.  Perhaps  Condor  also  looked  up  at  this 
mountain.  Did  he  know  that  it  was  the  last  sun- 
set for  him? 

A  painful  stillness  reigned  in  the  assembly.  All 
present  divined  the  Inca's  thoughts,  and  their 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  ground. 

Then  a  messenger  arrived  covered  with  dust. 
He  approached  the  Inca  and  fell  upon  his  knees 
before  him.  "Hail,  hail  to  our  emperor!"  cried 
he.  "  CoQdor  sends  me  with  the  message  that  he 
has  descended  from  the  passes,  and  will  arrive, 
richly  laden  with  booty,  in  the  palace  about  mid- 
night." 

"  Who  gave  Condor  permission  to  tarry  in  the 
passes  at  this  time?"  said  the  Inca.  ''In  my 
realm  no  bird  may  1\y  without  my  permission, 
and  Condor  is  detaining  thousands  against  my 
will  and  commands  ?    Tschalci  Yupanci,"  he  con- 


200  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

tinued,  turning  to  the  commander  of  his  body- 
guard, "  go  to  meet  him,  and  punish  the  disobe- 
dient man  with  death,  according  to  the  law  of 
the  land." 

Tschalci  Yupanci  rose  and  silently  left  the 
hall,  accompanied  by  a  few  men.  This  order  was 
very  repugnant  to  him,  and  his  feet  moved  as 
heavily  as  though  they  were  of  lead. 

Inca  Manco  glanced  over  the  assembly  again. 
There  sat  the  dignitaries  of  his  land,  silent;  not 
one  of  them  seemed  to  be  pleased;  there  stood  his 
body-guard  with  gloomy  faces.  Inca  Condor  was 
their  darling  also.  Why  should  he  be  punished 
with  death?  Perhaps  because  he  had  gone  too  far 
in  pursuit  of  the  hated  Spaniards.  Perhaps  be- 
cause he  had  wished  to  make  use  of  his  victory  to 
remain  longer  on  the  battle-field,  for  Inca  Condor 
would  surely  return  as  victor,  or  else  he  would  not 
be  Inca  Condor. 

They  pity  him,  they  cling  to  him,  thought  Inca 
Manco,  but  they  will  mourn  for  him  a  few  days 
and  then  forget  him. 

But  Tschalci  Yupanci  thought  otherwise.  "  0 
Inca  Manco,  Condor  is  more  valuable  to  you  than 
an  army.  Your  decision  is  like  a  lost  battle. 
You  thereby  deprive  the  passes  of  Vilcabamba  of 
the  most  faithful,  most  unwearied  watcher.    But 


THE    DEATH    OF    INCA    MaNKO. 


^VrTII    PIZAIlIio    I.V    I'KIUT.  2()1 

you  are  my  lord  and  emperor;  I  must  o])ey  you." 
But  in  front  of  Tsclialci  Yupanci  hurries  a  fieet- 
footed  runner.  He  carries  a  small  bundle  in  liis 
hand.  What  secret  messa<Tre  may  it  contain?  The 
runner  has  disappeared  from  Tschalci  Yiipanci's 
sight,  but  yonder  on  that  hill  iiames  up  the  lire  of 
a  post  station.  After  a  while,  a  second  fire  flashes 
from  a  greater  distance.  Truly  these  runners  of 
the  Inca  are  fleet. 

It  is  already  night,  and  cold  in  the  valleys  of 
Vilcabamba.  Tschalci  Yupanci  nevertheless  does 
not  hasten  his  steps.  He  has  the  Inca's  token  of 
authority  with  him  indeed,  but  will  Condor  allow 
himself  to  be  so  easily  and  without  resistance  ar- 
rested and  beheaded?  Strange  doubts  overcome 
the  old  soldier.  It  is  a  season  of  universal  doubt- 
ing for  the  Peruvians. 

Then  Tschalci  Y^upanci  j)erceives  the  thud  of 
heavy  steps.  Upon  the  crest  of  the  hill  which 
rises  before  him  appears  a  compact  black  mass  of 
soldiers ;  here  and  there  he  catches  the  gleam  of  a 
golden  helmet,  uj^on  which  the  moonlight  glitters. 

He  comes.     That  is  Condor's  army ! 

The  officers  in  the  front  ranks  discover  Tschalci 
Yupanci.  They  turn  aside  into  the  plain,  and 
make  room  for  fresh  troops,  who  come  over  the 
crest  of  the  hill.     Condor  does  indeed  bring  an 


202  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

army  with  him,  two  regiments;  what  are  these 
to  do  in  the  city? 

At  ,the  head  of  the  regiment  stands  Inca  Condor. 

'*  In  the  name  of  Inca  Manco,"  Tschalci  Yupanci 
begins  his  painful  speech — but  he  stammers  and 
pauses.  Before  him  stands  a  ruling  Inca.  Con- 
dor, in  the  attire  of  the  ruling  Inca  of  Peru,  with 
the  feathers  of  the  miraculous  bird  corekeiike  on 
his  head.  Tschalci  Yupanci  fairly  staggers.  Ah, 
now  he  understands  why  Inca  Manco  had  pro- 
nounced sentence  of  death— but  his  word  was  of 
no  power  here;  to  carry  out  his  sentence  a  whole 
army  would  be  required. 

The  brave  men  in  the  passes  of  the  Andes  have 
declared  Inca  Condor  ruling  Inca.  The  colonel  of 
the  imperial  guard  bows  his  knee  before  the  rebel ; 
he  exchanges  masters  to  preserve  his  life. 

Inca  Condor  smiles  scornfully;  he  ]olaces  the 
colonel  with  his  companions  under  guard,  and 
the  dark  procession  sets  out  again  in  rapid  motion. 

From  many  mountain- tops  now  flash  flames, 
suddenly.  Inca  Condor  has  been  informed  by  a 
faithful  tscliasci  of  his  death-sentence.  Inca 
Manco  had  then  been  warned,  so  Inca  Condor 
alarmed  all  his  adherents  in  the  mountains,  so  that 
they  might  fall  upon  the  enemy  from  all  sides. 

All  is  silence  in  the  palace  of  the  Inca.    The 


WITH    TIZAIlPvO    TX    I'ERTT.  203 

watching  pages  move  about  noiselessly  on  fell 
soles.  No  one  ventures  to  disturl)  tlie  emperor's 
sleep.  Even  the  bat  which  liies  out  upon  its 
nightly  hunt  cuts  through  the  dark  night  air 
with  noiseless  motion  of  its  wings. 

But  of  what  use  is  the  very  silence  of  the  grave 
when  our  minds  are  filled  with  dark  forebodings, 
and  conscience  raises  its  warning  voice?  The 
deepest  sleep  would  be  driven  away. 

Inca  Manco  lies  on  his  couch,  his  eves  wide 
open,  and  stares  at  the  golden  lamj)  which  fills 
the  sleeping  apartment  with  a  faint,  soft  light. 
He  stares  at  the  light,  for  the  play  of  'the  uncer- 
tain shadows  confuses  him.  Fearful  forms  emerge 
from  these  shadows.  Now  Condor's  bloody  head, 
now  his  headless  trunk,  now  Spanish  execution- 
ers, now  shades  which  resemble  the  mummies  of 
dead  emperors.  They  raise  their  hands  threaten- 
ingly, they  shake  their  heads  repellantly.  The 
shades  of  the  great  dead  sit  in  judgment  upon 
the  living  emperor. 

Inca  Manco  closes  his  eyes,  but  the  shadows 
continue  to  float  before  his  mental  vision;  great 
drops  of  sweat  stand  out  uj)on  the  forehead  of  the 
tortured  man. 

Then  the  silence  of  the  night  is  broken  by  con- 
fused cries,  which  seem  to  come  from  a  distant  part 


204  WITH   PIZAKRO   m   PERU. 

of  tlie  city.  Then  signals  of  horns  ring  out,  an- 
nouncing the  entrance  of  troox)S  into  the  city. 
He  is  returning,  Tsclialci  Yupanci.  It  is  accom- 
plished. How  could  it  be  otherwise?  He,  the 
Inca  of  Peru,  has  commanded.  Tsclialci  Yupanci 
brings  the  head  of  the  arrogant  Condor. 

A  strange  music:  one  horn  answers  another. 
That  was  in  the  north,  now  one  answers  from  the 
south. 

Inca  Manco  springs  up  from  his  couch.  What 
can  that  mean?  The  noise  of  horns  now  comes 
from  all  sides,  and  now  they  are  all  blown  before 
the  palace.  The  body-guard  sounds  the  alarm,  and 
cries  of  "  To  arms !  To  arms !  "  suddenly  ring  out 
through  the  palace,  until  then  so  still. 

To  arms! 

The  Inca  also  follows  this  cry.  He  throws  his 
mantle  about  him,  he  seizes  his  shield  and  his 
massive  clul).     His  pages  rush  in. 

"  What  is  the  matter? " 

They  do  not  know.  They  tremblingly  seek  j^ro- 
tection  for  themselves  with  their  ruler. 

A  loud  clash  of  arms  resounds  from  the  palace 
entrance,  and  cries  from  thousands  of  throats  ring 
out  from  beneath  the  windows : 

"Long  live  Inca  Condor!  Down  with  traitors! 
Death  to  the  Spaniards !     Long  live  Inca  Condor !" 


WITH     IMZAKKo    IX    I'KKF.  205 

Then  the  emperor  grows  pale  and  approaches 
the  window.  Hundreds  of  spears  flash  before  him. 
He  is  lost,  and  the  weapon  sinks  from  his  hand. 

Tlie  pages  bolt  the  door,  but  it  is  burst  in  by 
the  furious  blows  of  the  attacking  party.  A  troop 
of  savage  fellows  rush  in,  and  Tschalci  Yupanci 
stands  before  Inca  Manco. 

"  Inca  Manco,"  says  he  gloondly  to  the  emperor, 
"  prepare  yourself  for  death.  You  die  at  the  com- 
mand of  our  master  and  emperor,  Inca  Condor." 

"  I  am  ready,"  replied  the  emyjeror,  and  kneel- 
ing down,  he  murmurs  softly  to  himself:  "Aclia, 
Aclia,  your  God  is  the  God  of  unhappy  and  mis- 
erable ones.     Pray  to  Him  for  me." 

These  were  his  last  words.  In  a  few  moments 
Inca  Manco  was  no  more,  and  the  rebel  horde 
retire  through  the  corridors.  Tschalci  Yupanci 
bears  the  bloody  head  of  Inca  Manco,  to  lay  it  at 
the  feet  of  the  new  emperor,  Inca  Condor. 


XIV. 

Inca  Condor  was  now  absolute  master  of  Yil- 
cabamba.  All  tlie  troops  near  the  city  joined  his 
forces  the  same  night.  He  let  them  rest,. and  at 
dawn  sent  them  back  to  tlieir  posts.  But  first  he 
wished  to  afford  them  a  spectacle  which  should 
rejoice  the  heart  of  every  true  Peruvian.  At  sun- 
rise the  Spaniard  should  be  sacrificed. 

Human  sacrifice  was  a  remnant  of  barbarism 
among  the  Peruvians,  otherwise  so  cultivated. 
It  was  indeed  x^i'actised  only  on  rare  occasions, 
such  as  the  crowning  of  a  ruler,  his  marriage,  or 
as  a  festival  in  honor  of  victory.*  The  victims 
were  not  always  prisoners  of  war.  Men  and  women 
were  sacrificed  whom  the  priests  had  persuaded 
that  after  their  death  they  would  be  admitted 
without  further  probation  into  the  world  of  the 
gf)ds  whom  they  worshipped  in  the  temple,  there 
to  serve  them.     They  described  to  these  sacrificial 


*  John  Fiske  and  other  reliable  authorities  deny  that 
human  sacrifices  were  ever  offered  under  the  Inca  rule. 


WITH    riZAKRO    IN   VT.RU.  207 

victims,  SO  relate  the  lilstoriaiis  of  Pern,  tliat  olher 
woi'ld  in  a  manner  convenient  to  their  own  pur- 
poses, and  the  people  believed  them.  The  men  put 
on  garments  of  tine  woollen  stiitf,  adorned  them- 
selves with  golden  head-dresses,  chains  and  brace- 
lets, and  covered  their  feet  with  fine  white  sandals, 
which  they  fastened  on  with  woven  gold  ribbons. 
When  they  had  listened  to  the  lies  of  the  priests, 
and  had  believed  them  to  be  the  truth,  the  latter 
handed  them  great  golden  goblets  filled  with  the 
native  liquor,  or  tschitscJia,  made  them  drunk,  re- 
cited solemn  hymns  of  praise,  and  announced  that 
these  had  sacrificed  their  lives  in  this  numner  in 
order  to  serve  their  gods,  and  went  to'  meet  their 
death  joyously.  Hereupon  the  sacrificial  victims 
were  strangled.  Small  bundles,  such  as  they  might 
have  carried  in  life  on  a  journey,  were  then  fast- 
ened upon  the  shoulders  of  the  corpses,  a  golden 
pitcher  was  i3ut  in  the  hands  of  each,  and  they 
were  buried  around  the  temple.  These  victims 
were  henceforth  considered  saints,  and  no  one 
doubted  that  they  had  gone  to  another  world  to 
serve  their  gods.  The  women  destined  to  be  sac- 
rificed were  decked  out  in  an  equally  magnificent 
fashion,  in  gay  fine  woollen  garments,  bright  feath- 
ers, golden  pins  and  other  ornaments.  After  they 
had  adorned  themselves,  they  received  an  abun- 


208  WITH   PIZAREO   IIST   PERU. 

dant  quantity  of  liquor,  were  then  strangled,  and 
buried. 

To-day  only  one  enemy  and  captive  was  to  be 
sacrificed  to  quench  Inca  Condor's  thirst  for  ven- 
geance. 

But  where  was  the  Spaniard?  He  w^as  sought 
for.  At  length  it  was  learned  that  he  had  left 
the  city,  and  in  the  same  moment  came  the  news 
from  the  guard-house  in  the  ravine  where  the  small 
detachment  was  left  to  guard,  that  he  had  been 
imprisoned  there. 

The  Spaniard  imxmsoned  in  the  ravine!  With 
the  wild  joy  which  this  news  caused  Inca  Condor, 
an  oppressive  feeling  of  anxiety  was  mingled. 
Spaniards  in  the  ravine !  Tliat  had  been  the  alarm 
cry  for  many  a  day.  At  present  it  was  but  a  cap- 
tive Spaniard,  but  the  thought  that  at  this  mo- 
ment, when  he  entered  into  his  power,  the  passes 
of  Vilcabamba  had  unnecessarily  been  deprived 
of  their  guards,  made  Inca  Condor  uneasy. 

He  thought  of  sending  two  runners  to  the  ra- 
vine to  learn  the  state  of  matters  there,  but  he 
delayed  and  finally  relinquished  the  idea,  for  why 
should  he  show  his  needless  anxiety  to  his  army 
at  this  moment? 

He  therefore  gave  orders  that  one  of  the  divi- 
sions of  troops  which  had  made  the  shortest  march 


WITH    PIZAIUIO   IN   PERU.  209 

sliould  set  out  at  once  for  the  ravine,  and  dispatch 
the  captive,  witli  a  guard,  to  the  pakice. 

But  he  himself  entered  the  i)alace  of  the  late 
Inca,  to  speak  with  Aclia.  A  wild  hate  flashed 
in  his  eyes;  he  wislied  to  inform  her  of  the  death 
sentence,  and  command  her  to  take  part  in  the 
sacrifice.  She  should  hand  the  accursed  Spaniard 
the  goblet  containing  the  death  drink,  and  should 
then  be  sentenced  to  perform  the  lowest  services 
in  the  cloister  of  the  sun  maidens ;  for  Inca  Condor 
loved  her  no  longer,  he  hated  her  with  all  his 
heart. 

The  palace  captives  •  were  led  before  him — the 
little  sons  of  Inca  Manco,  who  stood  there  weep- 
ing and  unhappy,  the  broken-hearted  queen,  other 
relatives  of  Inca  ]\Ianco,  men  and  women,  whom 
Condor  scarce  honored  with  a  glance. 

''  Where  is  Aclia? "  he  asked,  with  a  frown. 

At  Inca  Manco's  command  she  was  to  remain  in 
the  cloister  of  the  sun  maidens,  was  the  answer. 

He  ordered  her  to  be  brought  before  him,  and 
went  out  into  the  square  before  the  palace,  to 
watch  the  preparations  for  the  festival. 

Through  the  wide-opened  doors  of  the  temple 

the  mummies  of  the  Incas  and  their  wives  were 

being  carried  out  into  the  square.     They  were  to 

be  present  at  the  festive  ceremony. 
14 


210  WITH_PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

These  mummies  of  the  Incas  of  Peru  in  the  tem- 
ple were  treated,  to  a  certain  extent,  as  living  be- 
ings, and  were  honored  accordingly.  When  an  Inca 
died  his  successor  did  not  occuj)}^  the  imperial 
palace,  but  built  a  new  one.  He  did  not  claim 
the  golden  ware  and  ornaments  for  himself;  these 
remained  in  the  palace  of  tlie  dead  ruler,  where 
dwelt  the  wives,  children,  and  numerous  servants 
of  the  deceased.  These  servants  now  took  care  of 
the  mummy,  which  was  washed  and  provided  with 
food,  which  was  eaten  for  the  mummy  by  the 
guards,  who  did  everything  for  it,  even  to  speak- 
ing for  it.  When  all  the  servants  of  the  dead 
emperor  died,  others  gladly  volunteered  for  this 
service  of  the  dead  in  the  temple,  for  the  life  led 
by  these  mummy-guards  was  an  easy  one.  Often 
the  mummies  expressed  a  wish,  through  the  mouth 
of  their  guards,  to  visit  each  other.  Then  one 
was  carried  into  the  presence  of  the  others,  and  a 
princely  banquet  prepared.  But  the  mummies 
also  participated  in  great  religious  and  public  fes- 
tivals; on  such  occasions  they  were  brought  out 
to  the  square  at  sunrise  and  remained  there  until 
sunset.  At  night  they  "  slept "  again  in  the  tem- 
ple, to  appear  the  next  morning  again  among  the 
people.  This  went  on  for  days  and  weeks,  as  long 
as  the  great  feasts  of  the  Peruvians  lasted. 


WITH   PIZAIUIO    IX    I'EKU.  211 

The  festival  wliicli  Inca  Condor  to-day  inaugu- 
rated was  more  a  feast  of  the  army  than  of  the 
l)eople.  The  army  rejoiced  over  their  new  ruler, 
wlio  with  its  consent  had  wound  the  red  pnifscJia 
around  his  head;  the  jieople  were  still  horrilied 
and  frightened  at  the  act. 

Inca  Condor  from  time  to  time  glanced  over  at 
the  entrance  to  the  cloister  of  the  sun  maidens. 
A  number  of  people  were  going  in  and  out  there, 
but  they  were  merely  engaged  in  fetching  great 
casks  filled  with  tscJuischa,  which  was  furnished 
to  the  soldiers,  wearied  by  their  long  night's 
march.  Aclia  did  not  appear.  Aclia  had  disap- 
peared, without  leaving  a  trace. 

Inca  Condor  fairly  foamed  with  rage;  but  she 
could  not  escape  from  the  valley  of  Yilcabamba, 
the  passes  were  too  welf  guarded,  and  what  recep- 
tion could  she  expect  from  the  Spaniards,  from 
whose  captivity  she  had  escaped?  Inca  Condor 
sent  messengers  in  all  directions,  with  commands 
to  all  his  subjects  to  seize  Aclia  wherever  she  was 
found,  and  bring  her  at  once  to  Inca  Condor  in 
the  palace. 

The  crimson  flush  faded  from  the  eastern  skv, 
and  a  golden  radiance  lit  up  the  tall,  snow-capped 
mountain  peaks  surrounding  the  valley  of  Yilca- 
bamba. 


212  WITH   riZARRO   IN   PERU. 

The  festival  began,  and  the  chief  priest  emerged 
from  the  temple  of  the  sun-god,  arrayed  in  all 
his  magnificence,  to  drink  to  the  imperial  mum- 
mies. 

The  army  of  the  Inca,  or  rather  that  part  of  it 
at  present  in  the  city,  formed  a  wide  circle  around 
the  square.  Inca  Condor  himself  mounted  a 
throne  which  had  been  hastily  erected  for  him, 
and  gave  the  signal  for  the  festival  to  begin. 

Then  a  tscJiasci  came  running  down  the  street 
at  the  tox3  of  his  speed.  He  made  his  way  through 
the  ranks  of  soldiers,  sprang  before  the  throne  of 
the  new  Inca,  and,  gasping  for  breath,  cried  in  a 
hoarse  voice:  "The  enemy — the  Spaniard — the 
enemy  is  at  hand !  " 

With  these  words,  he  tottered  and,  struck  by 
apoplexy,  fell  to  the  ground  dead. 

The  language  of  the  Peruvian  Indians  had  no 
numerals,  numbers  could  be  judged  merely  from 
the  sense  of  the  words.  The  tscJiascPs  words, 
therefore,  disturbed  none  of  those  present,  for  by 
"  the  enemy,  the  Spaniard,"  had  been  understood 
merely  reference  to  the  captive  Amador,  who  was 
to  be  brought  in  accordance  with  the  Inca's  com- 
mands to  the  sacrificial  square.  The  runner  had 
wished  to  bring  this  news  to  his  new  master  as 
soon  as  possible,  so  the  peo^^le  thought;  he  had 


WITH    I'lZAKltU    IN    PEllV.  213 

overesti united  liis  strength,  and  had  paid  witli  liis 
life  for  liis  zeal. 

There  were  laiigliter  and  jests,  and  the  country 
people  mingled  witli  the  soldiers.  Inca  Manoo 
was  not  referred  to  by  even  a  word,  and  yet  his 
corpse  lay  in  one  of  the  apartments  of  tlie  palace. 
No  one  guarded  it,  for  those  who  loved  and  were 
faithful  to  him  had  been  taken  prisoners. 

Half  an  hour  might  have  elapsed  since  the  ar- 
rival of  the  runner.  The  Spaniard  could  hardly 
arrive  before  now.  They  must  r)ass  away  the 
time  until  the  great  sacrilice  should  begin. 

Inca  Condor  rose.  He  wished  to  enter  the  tem- 
ple of  the  sun-god,  there  to  thank  Intli  for  the 
victory. 

He  turned  his  steps  toward  the  holy  of  holies 
of  this  temple.  The  rays  of  the  morning  sun  fell 
ui:»on  the  splendid  image  of  the  sun.  After  a 
short  prayer,  the  Inca  proceeded  to  thank  the 
mother  of  his  ancestors,  the  queen  of  the  heavens, 
also.  He  passed  through  the  silver-covered  door 
into  the  chapel  consecrated  to  the  moon.  But  he 
paused  in  astonishment,  for  there  before  the 
image  of  the  moon  goddess  knelt  a  white-robed 
woman's  form ;  he  recognized  it,  it  was  Aclia.  Ha ! 
She  seeks  protection  of  the  queen  of  heaven,  the 
protector  of  maidens !     Inca  Condor's  heart  leaps 


214  WITH    PIZAIIRO    IN   PEEU. 

with  savage  joy.  He  possesses  the  power  to  drag 
her  out  of  even  this  most  sacred  sanctuary. 

He  takes  a  step  forward  to  seize  her,  but  he 
pauses  again,  pale  and  rigid. 

AVhat  does  he  see  that  makes  him,  the  fearless, 
bold  soldier,  tremble  to  the  depths  of  his  nature? 
For  a  moment  he  does  indeed  tremble  like  a  frag- 
ile reed. 

His  eyes  witness  unheard-of,  incredible  dese- 
cration. 

Aclia,  the  daughter  of  an  Inca,  does  indeed 
kneel  and  pray,  but  not  to  the  mighty  gods  of 
Peru.  Upon  the  altar  of  the  goddess  of  the  moon 
stands  a  strange  symbol,  a  silver  cross,  and  upon 
it  a  crucified  One — a  tiny  figure,  but  Condor's  eyes 
I)lainly  recognize  it.  He  knows  that  this  is  the 
s3^mbol  of  the  Christians.  Aclia  is  praying  to  the 
enemy's  God !  She  is  praying  to  Him  in  the  tem- 
ple of  Peru.  Accursed  woman,  she  is  desecrating 
the  holy  of  holies !  Inca  Condor's  eyes  flash  in 
savage  rage. 

"Apostate !  "  he  thunders.  "  Your  crime  can 
be  atoned  for  by  death  alone.  Miserable  wretch, 
do  you  dare  insult  the  lofty  gods  of  the  Incas? 
You  shall  be  sacrificed  with  the  Spaniard !  " 

She  rose.  She  was  calm  and  collected ;  she  took 
the  crucifix  from  the  altar,  folded  her  hands  over 


WITH   PIZAURO   IN   PERU.  215 

her  breast,  and  pressing  the  crucifix  to  her  lieart, 
she  said  calmly:  "I  am  ready,  Condor.  My  God 
is  the  God  of  unfortunate  and  miserable  beings, 
and  lie  consoles  us  in  the  hour  of  death." 

Inca  Condor  was  astonished  at  this  composure, 
•which  he  had  not  expected  to  find  in  a  weak 
woman ;  but  before  he  could  answer,  the  stillness 
of  the  temple  was  broken  by  other  sounds.  The 
sound  of  voices  of  a  furious,  noisy  crowd  came  to 
Condor's  ear;  and  even  while  he  listened  to  learn 
wdiat  these  voices  could  mean,  the  jiiercing  war- 
horns  rang  out,  calling  the  soldiers  to  arms. 

What  was  that?  Had  one  of  Inca  Manco's  gen- 
erals risen  to  avenge  his  emperor's  death  ?  Short- 
sighted man,  how  dare  he  defy  Inca  Condor?  Or 
— the  Inca  tried  to  suppress  the  dark  foreboding 
which  rose  to  his  mind.  Fearful  anxiety  over- 
came him ;  he  rushed  out  of  the  chapel,  forgetting 
Aclia  and  her  crime. 

The  chief  priest  came  hurrying  to  meet  him  in 
the  corridor  of  the  temple. 

"  O  Inca !  "  he  cried.  "  The  Spaniards  have 
forced  their  way  through  the  ravine  to  the  west. 
They  are  marching  upon  the  city ;  they  are  strong, 
and  cry  that  they  will  avenge  Inca  Manco." 

Inca  Condor  staggered.  Spaniards  in  the  valley 
of  Yilcabamba  as  avengers  of  the  murdered  Inca! 


216  WITH   PIZAERO   IN   PERU. 

Spaniards,  like  lightning  from  a  clear  sky!  Was 
not  this  a  judgment  of  the  gods?  Was  not  this 
the  punishment  for  his  treachery?  Ah  yes,  he, 
Inca  Condor,  had  been  faithless  not  only  to  his 
emperor  but  to  his  fatherland,  since  he  had  de- 
prived the  passes,  the  maintenance  of  the  safety 
of  which  was  confided  to  him,  of  their  guards. 

But  he  did  not  long  give  himself  uj)  to  despair. 
The  soldier  within  him  awoke.  He  rushed  out  to 
strengthen  the  courage  of  the  troops,  and  to  lead 
them  against  the  enemy.  Only  after  a  lost  battle 
should  Vilcabamba  be  given  up  as  lost. 

Half  an  hour  later  all  Avas  silence  in  the  broad 
square,  where  the  feast  of  sacrifice  was  to  have 
taken  place. 

The  army  had  marched  with  Tnca  Condor  against 
the  enemy.  The  i^riests  and  the  people  had  fied 
to  the  slopes  of  Marahon.  The  mummies  sat  soli- 
tary out  in  the  quiet  square.  This  jDeople  had 
broken  faith  with  their  living  emperor,  how  could 
they  be  expected  to  j)rotect  dead  ones? 

The  mummy  banquet  was  disturbed,  overturned 
pitchers  lay  about  in  wild  confusion,  the  mummy 
guards  had  vanished.  Flies  buzzed  about  the 
black,  gold-adorned  forms  of  the  dead,  perched 
insolently  upon  cheeks  and  brows,  and  no  one 
was  there  to  drive  them  away  with  the  fine  fans. 


WITH    PI/AURO    IN   PERU. 


217 


Empty  also  was  the  temple,  for  tlie  hamurpas 
liad  cried:  "  Intli  has  summoned  the  Spaniards. 
Intli  will  avenge  Inca  Manco!  " 

And  priests  and  people  fled  from  the  judgment 
of  the  gods,  which  had  come  upon  them  with  such 
terrible  suddenness. 

Only  Aclia  remained  in  the  temi)le,  and  prayed 
before  her  crucilix  that  the  Spanish  arms  might 
be  victorious. 


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XV. 


The  rebel  army  was  of  quite  a  different  opin- 
ion from  the  priests  and  their  adherents.  The 
army  did  not  even  think  of  a  judgment  of  the 
gods,  but  each  soldier  secretly  thought  that  he 
was  responsible  for  the  fact  that  the  Spaniards 
had  overpowered  the  guard  in  the  passes,  and 
each  one,  like  his  commander,  would  stake  his 
life  to  atone  for  the  fault. 

So  Inca  Condor  advanced  to  meet  the  Sjianiards 
with  a  desi^erately  brave  army,  and  Alcan  en- 
countered an  opposition  which  he  had  not  ex- 
pected. Pizarro  had  indeed  conquered  the  whole 
of  Peru  with  a  trivial  force,  but  Pizarro  had  called 
trickery  and  deceit  to  his  aid.  Alcan  advanced 
upon  the  Inca  with  troops  which  were  exhausted 
by  night  marches  through  the  mountains.  He 
believed  that  he  would  fall  ui^on  two  hostile  ar- 
mies, but  he  met  a  united  army.  The  battle  began 
at  about  an  hour's  march  from  the  city  of  Vilca- 
bamba.     The    Spanish   muskets    and   crossbows 


WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU.  219 

opened  their  fatal  tiring,  but  tlie  Indian  warriors 
did  not  waver.  Inca  Condor,  who  was  perfectly 
familiar  with  the  country,  surrounded  tlie  enemy, 
and  attaclved  them  witli  part  of  his  forces  from 
the  rear. 

The  two  parties  engaged  in  close  combat.  In 
such  struggles  the  sharp  Toledo  blades  proved 
superior  to  the  bronze  weapons  of  the  Peruvians. 
The  Spaniards'  armor  protected  them  from  the  ar- 
rows and  lances  of  stone,  bone,  or  bronze,  but  in 
this  case  the  Spaniards'  were  in  an  unfavorable 
situation,  for  the  superior  forces  of  the  enemy 
were  overpowering,  and  Inca  Condor's  soldiers 
were  not  as  exhausted  as  the  Spaniards  who  had 
had  the  long  march  over  the  mountains.  Had 
Alcan  rested  his  soldiers  after  he  had  left  the  pass, 
and,  occupied  the  guard-house,  had  he  allowed 
Inca  Condor  to  march  against  him  and  make  the 
attack,  then,  after  all  the  experience  the  Spaniards 
had  had  in  Peruvian  wars,  the  victory  would  have 
surely  been  his.  He  did  indeed  wish  to  reach  the 
poi^ulous  districts  as  soon  as  possible,  in  order  to 
obtain  provisions  for  his  soldiers,  but  a  skirmish- 
ing column,  which  could  have  fallen  upon  the 
neighboring  villages,  could  have  accomplished 
this,  for  they  knew  where  the  granaries  were  to 
be  found  in  every  village,  and  it  would  not  have 


220  WITH   PIZAKRO   IN   PERU. 

been  difficult  to  secure  provisions  for  two  hun- 
dred men.  But  Captain  Alcan  was  rash ;  a  soldier 
but  no  commander. 

So  it  happened  that  the  Indians  were  terrible 
opj)onents  for  the  Spaniards.  Their  armor  did  in- 
deed protect  them  from  the  arrows  and  lances, 
but  when,  in  close  combat,  one  sword  must  defend 
its  owner  from  ten  battle-axes  and  ten  clubs; 
when  the  Indians  fought  with  a  true  defiance  of 
death,  the  Spaniards  must  at  length  give  way, 
and  the  battle  ended  with  quite  an  orderly,  but 
still  fatal,  retreat  on  the  part  of  the  Spaniards. 

This  retreat  was  accomplished  amid  continuous 
fighting.  Alcan,  Amador,  and  other  Spanish 
knights  performed  truly  heroic  acts,  but  tliey  suc- 
ceeded merely  in  winning  space  for  a  few  minutes. 
After  a  short  time  the  Indians  were  again  upon 
them,  and,  encouraged  by  Inca  Condor,  attacked 
their  enemies  with  even  greater  fury. 

Since  the  Spaniards  retreated,  Condor's  heart 
swelled  with  hope.  His  sole  thought  now  was  to 
destroy  Alcan's  entire  force,  to  allow  not  a  single 
Sf)aniard  to  escape  alive  from  the  valley  of  Vilca- 
bamba. 

The  Spaniards  entrenched  themselves  in  a  vil- 
lage toward  afternoon,  so  that  they  might  rest 
and  gain  fresh  strength.     Here  they  could  resist 


WITH  nzAUiio  ix  peru.  221 

the  attacks  of  tlie  enemy,  but  they  could  not  lon^^ 
remain  in  tlie  village,  for  they  did  not  know  how 
affairs  stood  in  the  ravine,  and  whether  the  men 
Alcan  had  left  there  on  guard  had  also  been  at- 
tacked, and  were  able  to  hold  their  own  against  the 
enemy.  This  was  especially  important  for  them 
to  know,  since  the  ravine  formed  the  only  exit 
known  to  them  from  the  valley. 

The  retreat  was  continued  in  a  compact  square, 
imtil  at  length,  of  the  hundred  and  fifty  Spaniards 
who  had  descended  into  the  valley,  one  hundred 
arrived  safely  at  the  ravine,  and  joined  the  fifty 
who  had  been  left  there  on  guard.  .  Among  the 
severely  wounded  who  were  carried  in  the  train 
was  Alcan. 

The  fresh  strength  with  which  the  fifty  Span- 
iards engaged  in  the  fight  checked  the  Indians. 
Alcan's  troops  coidd  now  assemble  before  the  ra- 
vine, could  be  drawn  up  in  order,  and  could  take 
counsel  together  as  to  what  was  to  be  done.  Sh  ould 
they  attack  the  Indian  army  and  try  to  defeat  it? 
None  of  the  Spanish  leaders  would  take  the  re- 
sponsibility of  this  attempt  upon  himself.  It  was 
therefore  decided  to  begin  the  retreat  through  the 
ravine,  which  was  as  yet  clear,  that  very  evening. 
The  entrance  of  the  ravine  was  to  be  defended  as 
long  as  possible  by  a  band  of  volunteers,  so  that 


222  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

the  retreating  forces  might  gain  as  much  time  as 
possible. 

A  dozen  bold  fellows  volunteered  to  remain  at 
the  deserted  post.  The  first  to  offer  himself  was 
Amador  de  Calabrera,  and  he  was  chosen  leader  of 
the  handful  of  soldiers. 

At  a  given  signal  the  Spaniards  began  their 
hasty  retreat.  First  a  small  company  of  soldiers 
as  advance  guard,  then  the  wounded,  most  of  whom 
were  carried,  and  then  the  rest  of  the  troops. 
When  the  Indians  saw  the  j)rocession  of  Spaniards 
disai^pear  in  the  ravine,  they  raised  their  war-cry 
and  began  a  furious  attack. 

But  they  were  kept  at  a  distance  by  the  fire  of 
muskets  until  the  wounded  had  been  carried  into 
the  ravine ;  then  the  others  retreated  stej)  by  stej:*. 
At  length  the  last  Spaniards  left  the  open  valley 
of  Vilcabamba,  and  the  narrow  entrance  of  the 
ravine  was  closed  by  a  living  wall — Amador  and 
his  comrades. 

In  vain  did  the  Indians  seek  to  break  through 
this  wall.  Three  times  they  relocated  their  at- 
tack, and  three  times  they  were  driven  back.  Be- 
fore the  living  wall  of  Spaniards  now  rose  a  wall 
of  Indian  corpses. 

Then  Inca  Condor,  whom  until  then  his  officers 
had  restrained,  rushed  forward  violently,  placed 


WITH  piZAiiiio  IX  vvAW.  22H 

himself  at  the  head  of  the  boklest  sokliers,  and 
with  raised  battle-axe,  covering  his  breast  witli 
his  shield,  lie  rushed  upon  the  ravine. 

''The  decisive  moment  approaches,"  cried  Ama- 
dor to  his  companions.  "Let  them  come  near," 
said  he,  turning  to  his  four  remaining  musket- 
eers, "  and  all  aim  at  the  Inca.  Do  not  shoot  until 
they  are  but  ten  paces  away  from  us." 

In  a  few  seconds  the  storming  band,  Inca  Con- 
dor at  the  head,  had  jirrived  at  the  desired  dis- 
tance. At  this  moment  the  Spanish  guns  flashed 
forth,  and  Inca  Condor,  shot  through  the  breast, 
fell  to  the  ground. 

Then  Amador  swung  his  sword,  and  with  the 
ciy,  "Santiago!"  he  rushed  forward  with  his 
brave  companions.  The  Indians,  terror  stricken 
by  the  fall  of  their  commander,  drew  back,  and 
Amador  dragged  the  dying  Inca  into  the  ravine. 

Inca  Condor  could  no  longer  speak,  but  he  was 
conscious  of  his  deepest  humiliation.  One  of  the 
Spaniards  tore  the  red  jyaUscJia  and  the  feathers 
of  the  miraculous  bird  corekenke  from  his  head, 
and  Condor  groaned  aloud  when  he  saw  the  token 
of  imperial  dignity,  which  he  had  placed  on  his 
own  head  twentv-four  hours  before,  in  the  hands 
of  the  hated  Spaniards. 

Inca  Manco  was  fearfully  and  speedily  avenged. 


224  WITH  pizARRO  iisr  peru. 

Condor's  eyes  closed ;  he  died,  like  liis  predecessor, 
with  the  same  humiliating  consciousness,  the  con- 
sciousness that  he  was  a  dethroned  emperor. 

In  possession  of  the  Inca's  corpse  the  Spaniards 
could  breathe  more  freely.  The  Indians  gave  a 
loud  cry  of  woe,  they  ceased  their  furious  attacks, 
and  implored  the  Spaniards  to  deliver  to  them 
their  Inca.  Amador  purposely  prolonged  the  dis- 
cussion so  that  Alcan's  troops  might  win  as  great 
a  start  as  possible,  and  only  at  nightfall  did  he 
deliver  Condor's  corpse  to  them,  and  with  his 
brave  comrades  left  the  valley  of  Vilcabamba, 
in  which  he  had  had  so  many  and  such  varied 
experiences. 

The  mortal  remains  of  Inca  Condor,  the  darling 
of  the  army,  the  last  national  hero  of  the  Peruvian 
Indians,  was  not  carried  back  to  Vilcabamba  upon 
a  plain  black  bier.  Other  honors  befitted  an  em- 
peror. 

Priests  came  to  the  ravine  and  embalmed  the 
ruler  in  the  guard-house.  Then  the  mummy,  in 
full  imperial  splendor  of  array,  was  set  in  the 
splendid  imperial  chair,  and  slowly  carried  to  the 
city. 

The  faithful  army  accomj^anied  the  body,  and 
great  were  the  lamentations  of  the  army  when,  as 
historians  of  the  age  report,  "  the  bird,  flying  so 


W nil    I'IZAKUO    IN    I'ERU,  225 

high  in  the  air,  fell  to  the  ground,  stunned."  But 
as  the  procession  entered  the  city,  it  encountered 
another  funeral  tiain.  The  country  people,  the 
farmers  of  ^^ik'abamba,  showed  the  same  honors 
to  the  murdered  Inca  Manco,  and  were  carrying 
him  also  upon  his  golden  throne  to  his  last  rest- 
ing-plnce.  His  head  had  been  placed  upon  his 
shoulders  again,  so  as  to  atone  for  the  wrong 
which  had  been  done  him. 

Each  Inca  during  his  reign,  built  a  burial-place 
for  himself,  which  consisted  of  numerous  apart- 
ments. Inca  Manco  had  erected  such  an  one  near 
the  temple  of  the  sun,  but  Inca  Condor  had  had  no 
time  for  this,  his  death  had  overtaken  him  too 
quickly.  The  priests,  therefore,  resolved  to  place 
his  body  in  one  of  the  chapels  consecrated  to  the 
stars  of  heaven. 

He  who  had  died  first  should  be  buried  first. 
While,  therefore,  Inca  Condor's  mummy  was  de- 
]X)sited  in  the  jialace,  Inca  Manco's  was  taken  to 
the  burial  vault. 

The  dead  emjjeror  did  not  go  to  the  gi'ave  alone; 
a  number  of  women  followed  the  bier,  with  loud 
lamentations.  They  were  clad  in  gala  robes,  and 
drank  from  golden  goblets  to  keep  up  their  cour- 
age, for,  according  to  olden  custom,  they  were 

firmly  resolved  to  allow  themselves  to  be  walled 
15 


226  WITH  rizARRO  in  peru. 

up  alive  in  the  death  chamber,  to  die,  in  honor  of 
their  beloved  ruler,  the  death  of  starvation. 

And  so  it  hapi)ened.  The  Inca  was  placed  in 
the  third  or  last  room,  and  walled  in  with  the 
women.  In  the  second  room  were  placed  the  arms 
and  utensils  of  gold  which  he  had  used  in  life,  be- 
sides maize  bread  and  golden  pitchers  filled  with 
tscMtscJia.  But  in  the  first  apartment,  or  ante- 
room, Inca  Manco's  relatives  and  friends  prayed 
to  the  sun-god  for  the  dead  emperor,  who  was  now 
shown  divine  reverence,  and  to  whom  sacrifices 
Avere  offered. 

But  in  the  city  the  people  gave  loudest  expres- 
sion to  their  deep  grief.  Sorrow  when  united  with 
fanaticism  produces  madness,  and  the  people  of 
Vilcabamba  now  raved  in  their  delusion. 

"  Happy  is  he  who  voluntarily  follows  his  Inca 
to  the  other  world,"  preached  the  priests,  and  they 
found  believers.  Servants  of  the  dead  emperor, 
women  especially,  hanged  themselves  by  their 
own  hair,  others  took  poison,  others  again  flung 
themselves  from  high  rocks  into  abysses,  or 
drowned  themselves  in  lakes  or  rivers;  and  those 
who  had  not  the  courage  to  take  their  o\vn  lives 
begged  others  to  do  them  this  service,  and  no 
one  dared  refuse  this  sacred  request. 

So  hundreds  of  men  and  women  followed  their 


WITir    IM/AWUo    IX     PKIfF.  227 

ruler  in  death,  and  the  corpses  of  tliose  wlio  liad 
been  nearest  to  liini  in  life  were  also  enilxilnied, 
and  placed  in  the  antechamber  of  the  tomb. 

The  next  morning  Inca  Condor  was  buried  witli 
equal  i^omp.  lie,  the  young  warrior,  wlio  liad 
spent  most  of  the  hours  of  his  short  life  in  camp, 
had  had  neither  wife  nor  child  nor  courtiers.  But 
was  this  reason  enough  for  him  to  be  left  to  wan- 
der alone  through  the  chambers  of  the  tomb? 
Oh,  no!  Inca  Condor  wns  the  national  hero,  to 
whom  the  young  men  looked  up  witli  idolatrous 
admiration,  and  a  troop  of  maidens  Hocked  after 
his  mummy,  to  be  united  in  death  with  their  ruler 
and  hero.  Their  number  was  so  great  that  the 
priests  tried  to  dissuade  them  from  their  resolve. 
Such  a  great  number  of  maid-servants  would 
incommode  him  in  the  other  world  and  be  an  an- 
noyance to  him,  they  told  these  deluded  children. 

The  mourning  for  the  dead  ruler  did  not  cease 
for  a  long  time.  For  at  least  a  month  the  lamen- 
tations of  the  people  could  be  heard  in  the  city 
from  early  morning  to  late  in  the  evening.  Each 
day  the  inhabitants  of  the  region  repaired  to  the 
tomb,  carrying  the  standards,  arms,  ornaments,  and 
clothes  of  the  deceased,  and  which  they  had  worn 
in  their  life-time.  They  praised  the  wise  govern- 
ment of  the  one,  and  the  heroic  deeds  of  the  other, 


228  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

concluding  the  ceremony  with  a  universal  howl 
of  grief.  During  the  second  month  these  proces- 
sions took  place  only  every  two  weeks. 

Aclia  participated  in  all  these  ceremonies,  al- 
though she  realized  fully  the  barbarity  of  allow- 
ing men  and  w^omen  to  sacrifice  themselves  for  the 
dead.  She  knew  how  useless  it  would  be  to  pro- 
test, knew  that  by  so  doing  she  would  bring  down 
ui)on  herself  the  hatred  of  her  people,  and  if  she 
wished  truly  to  serve  them  and  convert  them  to 
the  Christian  belief  it  must  be  done  gradually; 
and  now  was  no  time  to  begin  her  work. 

In  these  days  her  heart  seemed  dead.  She  loved 
Amador  as  truly  as  ever,  but  she  no  longer  cher- 
ished the  slightest  hope  that  they  would  ever  be 
united  in  this  world.  Sometimes  she  bitterly  re- 
proached herself.  Had  she  made  the  sacrifice  re- 
quired of  her,  had  she  consented  to  marry  Inca 
Condor,  might  not  this  misery  and  the  horror  of 
civil  war  have  been  averted?  And  yet  Inca  Con- 
dor had  been  terribly  ambitious.  Would  this 
ambition  have  been  satisfied  in  becoming  brother- 
in-law  of  the  ruling  Inca?  Ah  no!  this  terrible 
strife,  though  it  might  have  been  postponed,  could 
not  have  been  prevented. 

She  tried  to  console  herself  by  this  thought, 
but  her  mourning  for  her  brother  Avas  most  sin- 


wrni    iMZARijo  IX   I'KKC.  229 

cere.  The  two  had  been  fondly  attiiched  to  each 
other.  Deeply  had  Maiico  regretted  leaving  his 
sister  in  tlie  city  of  Lima  when  he  made  his  es- 
cape, and  yet  had  he  taken  her  witli  liim  it  wonkl 
most  surely  have  awakened  suspicion.  In  despair, 
he  had  oft'eiv<l  her  hand  to  whomsoever  should 
rescue  her  from  the  Spaniards.  When  Condor 
brought  her  to  the  valley,  and  declaim!  that  he 
alone  had  rescued  her,  the  Inca  had  rejoiced,  think- 
ing at  that  time  that  here  was  a  hero  worthy 
even  of  his  sister.  But  one  glance  at  his  sister's 
despairing  face,  when  she  learned  the  fate  aAvait- 
ing  her,  had  been  sufficient  to  show,  him  that  her 
life's  happiness  would  be  ruined  if  this  marriage 
were  to  take  place.  Still  he  had  given  his  royal 
word,  how  could  he  retract  it?  He  had,  therefore, 
welcomed  the  chance  afforded  him  by  Amador's 
claim,  especially  as  of  late  he  had  fathomed  Con- 
dor's ambitious  plans,  and  had  began  to  fear 
liim. 

Aclia  could  therefore  think  of  her  broth  er  with 
feelings  of  love  and  regret  alone;  no  tinge  of  bit- 
terness was  mingled  with  her  grief,  for  the  only 
harsh  words  he  had  ever  said  to  her,  upon  that 
morning  when  he  learned  that  her  faith  was  the 
faith  of  the  Spaniards,  not  of  her  forefathers,  she 
could  readily  forgive.     She  it  was  who  took  charge 


230  WITH   PIZARRO   m   PERU. 

of  her  brother's  mummy,  and  in  time  her  iniluence 
for  good  Avas  felt  by  the  people. 

One  year  after  the  burial  ceremonies  a  large 
crowd  assembled  to  witness  the  last  ceremony  over 
the  dead.  Inca  Manco's  grave  was  opened  first, 
and  the  eldest  and  most  distinguished  men  of  the 
land  pronounced  judgment  upon  the  dead.  Then 
the  customary  i^rescribed  questions  were  asked 
as  to  what  he  deserved  of  the  state.  These  ques- 
tions chanced  to  be  answered  in  Inca  Manco's 
favor.  Then  the  eldest  judge  finally  asked  in  a 
soft  voice  whethei'  the  dead  man  had  inherited 
all  the  provinces  of  his  kingdom,  whether  he  had 
increased  the  number  or  whether  he  had  lost  j)art 
of  his  inheritance. 

All  were  silent  in  the  group  until  some  one  re- 
plied: '•  He  faithfully  kej^t  the  inheritance  he  re- 
ceived from  his  father,  and  did  not  lose  one  piece 
of  the  land." 

Thus  the  judgment  was  in  all  respects  a  favor- 
able one  for  Inca  Manco,  so  the  historians  and 
poets  of  the  land  were  summoned.  The  first  were 
commanded  to  record  the  deeds  of  the  Inca  for 
posterity,  by  means  of  the  bundles  of  strings;  the 
latter  were  to  describe  these  deeds  in  verse.  So  a 
new  imperial  poem  was  composed  for  Inca  Manco, 
which  poem  was  added  to  the  poetic  history  of 


WITH    PIZAIIUO    IX   PERU.  231 

Peru,  that  histoi-y  wliicli  the  children  were  forced 
to  learn  in  the  schools,  and  wliich  lived  in  the 
mouths  of  the  peojjle  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion, and  was  even  preserved  for  centuries;  but 
not  a  single  strophe  has  remained  in  preservation 
to  our  time. 

Then  the  Inca's  mummy  was  carried  into  the 
temple  of  the  sun-god,  and  was  placed  in  a  niche 
at  the  right  of  the  image.  The  charge  of  it  was 
intrusted  to  the  eldest  servant  of  the  emperor. 

But  on  the  next  day,  judgment  was  to  be  pro- 
nounced upon  Inca  Condor.  So  many  changes  had 
meanwhile  occurred  in  Yilcabamba.  Uj)on  the 
throne  of  the  Incas  sat  a  child,  Sayri  Tupac  Yu- 
panci,  and  the  former  colonel  of  the  imperial  body 
guard,  Tschalci  Yupanci,  was  regent  of  the  realm. 
The  catastrophe  which  Inca  Manco  had  feared 
had  befallen  the  land.  The  harvest  of  that  year 
had  been  scanty,  great  want  had  afflicted  the 
people.  ]\Iany  left  the  valleys  of  Yilcabamba, 
prefei'ring  to  seek  their  bread  under  Spanish  do- 
minion than  starve  among  their  owti  people.  The 
army  had  dwindled,  the  attacks  upon  the  Span- 
iards ceased;  the  passes  were  blocked  up,  the 
bridges  over  the  mountain  streams  destroyed,  and 
the  paths  blocked.  In  this  manner  they  had  in- 
deed secured  themselves  against  all  i^ossible  sur- 


232  WITH   PIZAREO   IN   PERU. 

prises  from  the  Spaniards.  Vilcabamba's  unfor- 
tunate position  was  regarded  as  a  punishment  of 
the  gods  for  the  murder  of  the  lawful  Inca,  and 
the  enthusiasm  which  had  formerly  filled  all  hearts 
for  Inca  Condor  was  extinct.  Many  brave  sol- 
diers had  laid  aside  spear  and  battle-axe  and  had 
settled  in  the  valleys  of  Maranon,  there  to  till  the 
soil.  A  pest  had  broken  out  among  the  llama 
herds,  meat  and  wool  w^ere  very  scarce ;  from  lack 
of  beaters  there  could  be  no  extensive  hunts  in 
the  mountains.  The  2:)eople  wore  old  clothes;  at 
the  last  great  festival  the  liquor  no  longer  flowed 
in  streams,  the  Peruvians  remained  sober  and  had 
time  to  ponder.  The  hands  of  the  sun  maidens 
must  rest,  for  the  granaries  were  empty,  and  with 
anxious  dread  all  looked  forward  to  the  future. 

All  this  was  a  punishment  of  Heaven  for  Inca 
Condor's  criminal  act. 

And  after  a  year,  the  workingmen  held  a  report 
upon  the  brave  warrior's  deeds. 

No  one  announced  himself  to  ask  the  questions. 
The  group  of  judges  sat  there  in  silence.  An 
hour  passed,  and  no  one  broke  the  silence.  The 
proud  Inca  Condor  was  judged  after  a  year,  and 
condemned  by  popular  opinion.  And  no  histori- 
ans were  summoned  to  record  by  their  bundles  of 
strings  the  number  of  battles  the  dead  man  had 


Avnii   I'l/.AKRO  IX  PKitr.  233 

won,  and  the  Spaniards  lio  liad  killed.  No  i)oet 
was  commissioned  to  compose  a  poem  in  honor  of 
Inca  Condor,  so  that  the  youtlis  nnght  learn  it 
and  be  inspired  to  courage  in  ^var. 

Not  one  of  tlie  judges  had  compassion  upon  the 
dead  man,  not  one  was  favorably  disposed  to  liim, 
not  one  summoned  historians  and  poets  in  order 
to  mention  at  least  the  name,  Inca  Condor,  so  that 
he  should  not  be  overlooked  in  the  list  of  emper- 
ors of  Peru.  He  was  an  usurper,  and  the  people 
Jiad  stricken  his  name  from  the  list  of  emj^erors, 
into  whose  ranks  he  had  forced  himself. 

And  finally  the  eldest  rose,  and  asked:  "  IS  hall 
we  carry  this  malliaclii  (mummy)  into  the  temple, 
so  that  it  may  enjoy  the  radiance  of  the  sun-god, 
Tntli?" 

Then  another  rose  and  said:  "Let  Inca  Manco's 
malliaclii  decide  that." 

So  the  judges  rose  and  entered  the  temple  of 
the  sun.  Before  the  mummy  of  Inca  Manco  sat 
his  faithful  sister  Aclia,  as  guardian. 

The  eldest  judge  questioned  the  mummy,  and 
now  it  was  Aclia's  duty  to  answer  for  it.  She 
rose  and  said:  "  Inca  Manco  has  gone  to  the  true 
God,  and  he  now  knows  the  truth.  He  conmiands 
you  to  summon  the  historians  and  poets  that  they 
may  record  Inca  Condor's  great  deeds,  but  let 


234  AviTii  PizAitiio  iisr  peru. 

them  add  that  the  Creator  of  the  world  punishes 
sin.  He  commands  you  to  bring  the  malliaclii 
here,  for  he  has  forgiven  him  his  murder.  He 
commands  you  also  to  make  a  poem  concerning 
this,  and  to  declare  therein  that  this  has  happened 
in  accordance  with  the  command  of  the  God  of 
gods,  who  teaches  us  to  love  our  enemies." 

The  judges  went  away  astonished,  and  did  as 
Inca  Manco's  mummy  commanded  them. 

But  the  news  of  the  wise  and  mild  mummy  of 
the  murdered  Inca  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth. 
The  Indians  came  from  far  and  near,  when  Aclia 
guarded  the  mummy,  to  ask  counsel  of  her.  And 
more  than  Tschalci  Yuj^anci,  the  spirit  of  Inca 
Manco,  through  the  mouth  of  his  sister  Aclia,  gov- 
erned the  quiet  valley  of  Vilcabamba. 

The  priests  cast  furious  glances  at  the  young 
custodian  of  the  mummy;  but,  however  they 
weighed  her  words,  they  could  find  nothing 
against  her,  for  she  never  sjDoke  of  the  God  of 
the  Christians,  but  of  the  God  of  all  men,  the  Cre- 
ator of  the  world,  who  was  considered  the  chief 
divinity  among  the  Peruvians. 


?i^^5^ 


XVT. 

Some  weeks  had  passed  since  tlie  eventful  niglit 
of  the  Spaniards'  retreat  from  Yilcalninilja.  Baron 
Alcan  sat  before  his  house  in  the  valley  of  Ilua- 
manca.  The  sun  was  shining  briglitly,  and  the 
convalescent  rejoiced  to  be  out  in  the  open  air 
once  more.  He  had  almost  entirely  recovered 
from  his  wounds,  and  was  listening  to  Amador, 
who  was  giving  him  accounts  of  the  wonders  of 
the  "  second  Peru." 

Their  experiences  together  in  Yilcabamba  had 
broken  down  the  constraint  which  of  late  had  ex- 
isted between  the  two,  and  the  old  friendship  was 
revived.  It  was  Amador  who  had  nursed  him 
when,  after  the  long,  tedious  journey  back  to  Hua- 
manca  had  been  accomplished,  the  wounded  man 
lay  for  days  unconscious  and  burning  with  fever. 

This  morning,  as  the  two  men  sat  together,  they 
were  joined  by  another  Spaniard,  none  other  than 
Amador's  former  guide  and  friend  Leon  de  Gamba. 
He  looked  fat  and  prosjierous,  and  as  though  fate 


236  WITH   PIZATIRO   IN   PERU. 

had  treated  liim  well.  Amador  had  not  seen  him 
since  he  left  Lima,  now  nearly  two  years  ago,  and 
welcomed  him  heartily.  De  Gamba  had  had  no 
sach  adventurous  experiences  as  Alcan  and  Ama- 
dor. The  last  year  he  had  j)urcliased  an  estate  near 
Lima,  and  was  here  in  Huamanca  on  business  con- 
nected  with  the  farming  of  this  estate.  Hearing 
that  his  old  friend  Amador  was  here,  he  had 
sought  him  out.  After  various  inquiries  as  to 
each  other's  health  and  welfare,  Leon  asked  about 
the  Yilcabamba  expedition,  of  which  he  had  heard 
but  the  vaguest  rumors. 

"Is  it  true  that  the  beautiful  princess  A  clia  was 
at  the  bottom  of  all  this  trouble? "  he  said. 

"  Her  escape  from  Lima  furnished  a  reason  for 
the  attack  upon  the  Indians,  but  it  can  hardly  be 
said  to  be  the  cause.  It  was  only  a  question  of 
time,"  rex^lied  Amador. 

"And  is  it  true  that  she  was  rescued  by  Inca 
Condor,  the  brave  young  chief." 

"  Yes,  he  rescued  her  from  her  Lima  captors, 
but  had  it  not  been  for  Amador  here,  the  fair  Ac- 
lia  would  never  have  reached  Vilcabamba  alive," 
said  Alcan,  with  a  mischievous  glance  at  the  young 
Spaniard. 

"Amador!  What  had  he  to  do  with  it? "  asked 
Leon  in  surprise. 


WITH     I'IZAKIlo    IN'    I'KUF.  237 

"Simi)ly  this.  She  and  her  gallant  resnier 
would  have  perished  in  a  snow-drift,"'  replied  Al- 
can,  who  had  learned  part  of  the  story  from  Ama- 
dor. But  Leon  would  not  be  put  off  thus,  and 
gave  Alcan  no  x)eace  until  he  had  told  him  all  he 
knew. 

"And  you  followed  the  fair  princess  into  the 
very  den  of  the  enemy? ''  queried  Leon. 

"  I  went  to  Yilcabamba,  certainly,"  was  the  re- 
ply- 

"And  since   Inca  Condor   is    dead,  you    hope 

to  step  into  his  place,  and  win  the  lovely  Aclia 
for  yourself,  eh?  Well,  I  confess  at  one  time  I 
might  have  envied  you,  for  I  was  deeply  smitten 
with  the  fair  princess  myself;  but  now  I  envy 
no  man.  Perhaps  you  have  heard  that  some 
time  ago  I  was  married  to  a  young  Christian  In- 
dian, Maria  by  name.  She  may  not  be  so  beauti- 
ful as  Aclia,  or  Inez,  but  we  are  very  happy.  I 
have  retired  from  active  life,  and  shall  probably 
live  to  a  good  old  age  on  my  estate.  I  invite  you 
and  Aclia  to  pay  us  a  visit  after  your  marriage, 
my  friend.  Maria  and  I  will  give  you  a  Avarm 
welcome.  By  the  way,  it  is  to  you  she  owes  her 
knowledge  of  Spanish,  I  believe.  She  took  Span- 
ish lessons  of  you  in  the  old  city  of  the  kings." 
"  Then  she  was  one  of  Princess  Aclia's  retinue? " 


238  WITH  rizAuiio  in  rjoiur. 

"  She  was,  and  was  cleex)ly  interested  to  learn  of 
her  fate.  Well,  let  us  know  when  you  are  mar- 
ried." 

"  When  it  occurs  I  will  not  fail  to  notify  you  by 
some  means,"  said  Amador,  not  very  hopefully. 

"And  is  it  true  that  the  temples  and  palaces  in 
Vilcabamba  are  so  magnificent  as  some  say?  " 

"They  are  indeed.  The  walls  and  doors  are 
covered  with  silver  and  gold,  and  the  images  of 
the  sun  and  moon  are  of  these  costly  metals." 

"  Dear  friend,"  said  Alcan,  "  the  gold  is  not  as 
valuable  as  you  think.  The  plates  upon  the  tem- 
ple doors  are  thin,  very  thin,  no  thicker  than  a 
sheet  of  paper.  I  know  from  experience,  for  there 
were  just  such  j)lates  in  Cuzco,  and  when  Ave  had 
them  melted  uj),  there  was  only  a  little  lump  of 
gold  worth  scarcely  a  couple  of  ducats." 

"  But  the  emperor's  throne-chair,  which  requires 
eight  men  to  carry  it,"  interposed  Amador. 
"  How  about  that?     It  is  of  solid  gold." 

"  Oh,  nonsense,  solid  gold !  It  is  probably  wood 
with  a  thin  coating  of  gold,"  said  old  Alcan  scep- 
tically. 

Amador  smiled. 

"Ah,  friend  Alcan,"  said  he,  "  the  grapes  are  al- 
ways sour  when  they  hang  too  high." 

Leon  laughed.  "Amador  is  evidently  fascinated 


WITH     IMZAIJKO    I\    TKIMJ.  239 

with  Vilcabamba,"  said  he.  "  Could  you  not  be 
appointed  governor  of  the  province,  my  friend  t " 

"It  has  yet  to  be  conquered,''  said  .Vniador. 

After  a  little  more  chat,  Leon  rose  to  go.  He 
expected  to  set  out  on  his  return  journey  that 
very  afternoon.  When  the  two  friends  were  again 
alone,  Amador  turned  to  Alcan. 

"  Well,  comi-ade,  you  are  now  fairly  on  the  road 
to  health,  you  can  really  no  longer  be  called  an 
invalid.  I  think  that  I  can  leave  you  next  week, 
and  return  to  my  little  cabin." 

"Return  to  that  wilderness!  Surely  you  are 
joking ! " 

"  Not  at  all,"  replied  Amador  firmly.  "  I  have 
no  desire  to  live  here,  but  I  would  not  leave  you 
until  you  were  well.  T  can  never  forget  that  you 
saved  my  life.     You  arrived  just  in  time." 

"  You  really  wish  to  go  and  live  in  your  log 
house  again  r'  asked  Alcan. 

"  Yes,"  i-eplied  Amador.  "  I  am  accustomed  to 
the  free  life  in  the  mountains  and  pine  for  it. 
But  this  time  you  may  send  as  many  negro  s^ues 
after  me  as  you  wish,  for  I  shall  look  for  no  more 
passes.  No  klpim  of  the  Inca  would  preserve 
me  from  the  certain  death  which  would  be  my 
fate  should  I  once  more  enter  the  valley  of  A'ilca- 
bamba.     In  the  eyes  of  the  Indians  I  am  but  the 


240  WITH   PIZAREO   IN   PERU. 

common  sjiy  who  summoned  you  and  tlie  Spanish 
troops  to  compass  theu'  defeat.  Added  to  this  I 
was  the  cause  of  the  death  of  their  idol  Condor." 

"Well,  in  that  case,  since  you  pine  for  your 
log  hut,  I  must  let  you  go,  and  bid  you  God- speed," 
replied  Alcan.  "  I  know  what  you  hope,  and  you 
are  right.  If  she  is  still  alive  she  will  come  to 
the  cave;  but  do  not  allow  yourself  to  be  dragged 
into  a  trap.     Be  i^rudent  and  cautious,  my  son." 

And  thus  it  came  about  that  Amador  once  more 
took  up  life  in  his  solitary  hunter's  home.  It  was 
but  little  changed  in  his  absence,  only  the  two 
Indians  had  fled,  having  probably  joined  their 
countrymen  in  the  valley  of  Vilcabamba.  Their 
places  he  sui^i^lied  with  a  single  negro,  whom  he 
sent  for  to  Iluamanca. 

He  went  often,  almost  every  day,  along  the  well- 
known  path  to  the  cave,  but  this  negro  never 
troubled  himself  about  his  master's  movements, 
and  considered  his  life  an  easy  one,  for  was  not 
this  master  easily  suited?  Amador  grew  more 
and  more  absent-minded  and  careless  of  his  sur- 
roundings. He  ate  the  simple  rejDasts  which  the 
negro  prepared,  without  comment;  he  went  earlier 
to  the  cave  and  stayed  later,  but  day  after  day 
returned  with  slow,  heavy  step  and  disappointed 
heart. 


WITH    VIZAllllO    IX    I'ERU.  241 

He  could  not  understand  her  silence.  Was  not 
Inca  Condor  dead  ?  If  she  wished  surely  she  could 
give  hiiu  a  sign.  If  she  wished,  and  if  she  were 
alive,  for  who  could  tell  what  had  happened  in 
the  palace  of  the  Inca  during  that  night  of  the 
uj^roar?  And  then,  at  tlie  thought  of  tlie  horrible 
fate  which  had  perchance  been  hers,  Amador's 
heart  sickened. 

jSIonths  passed;  he  still  waited  for  a  sign,  but 
no  message  came,  no  embroidered  scarf  was  left 
in  the  cave,  and  Amador's  hopes  grew  fainter  and 
fainter.  At  last  he  could  bear  this  life  no  longer. 
If  his  love  were  to  be  buried,  to  be  lived  down 
and  forgotten,  this  was  no  j^lace  for  him — here, 
near  tlie  spot  so  inseparably  associated  with  his 
dearest  recollections,  here  where  every  mountain 
and  tree  seemed  to  speak  of  her.  He  would  return 
to  the  settlements,  would  seek  some  active  occu- 
pation and  strive  to  drown  his  sorrow.  So  one 
day  he  walked  sadly  along  the  path  to  the  cave, 
and  took  a  final  survey ;  he  even  went  for  a  short 
distance  along  the  pass  which  less  than  a  year  be- 
fore he  had  trodden  with  such  eagerness.  He 
imininted  upon  his  memory  the  places  so  familiar 
to  him,  sat  once  more,  and  for  perhaps  the  last 
time,  within  the  cave,  and  gazed  at  the  snow- 
capped Cordilleras.  Nowhere  did  he  catch  so 
i6 


242  WITH    PIZAllRO    IN    PERU. 

much  as  a  glimpse  of  an  Indian,  and  linally  slowly 
and  sadly  he  turned  away. 

He  returned  to  Huamanca,  taking  with  him  his 
negro  servant,  and,  footsore  and  weary,  arrived 
one  evening  at  old  Captain  A  lean's  door.  The  old 
soldier  greeted  him  with  the  utmost  surprise. 

"  What,  Amador,  is  it  really  you  !  What  brings 
you?" 

"  I  have  come  to  seek  some  active  employment. 
I  am  tired  of  my  mountain  home." 

"  Tired  of  your  mountain  home!  And  the  fair 
Aclia?" 

"Do  not  speak  to  me  of  her.  In  all  these 
months  I  have  heard  nothing,  nor  do  I  knoAV 
whether  she  is  alive.  I  dare  not  go  to  Yilcabamba 
myself,  it  would  be  certain  death.  But  it  is  not 
so  with  her.  She  could  come  or  send  to  the  cave, 
she  is  free.  Ah,  no,  say  no  more  of  her.  What- 
ever hopes  I  may  have  cherished  are  dead.  She 
is  no  longer  alive,  or  she  loves  me  not.  Perchance 
she  considers  me  indeed  a  mere  sj^y.  Who  knows !  " 

Alcan  listened  to  the  young  man's  gloomy  speech 
with  varied  expressions.  When  he  paused,  he 
said: 

"Then  it  is  not  news  of  your  countrymen's 
troubles  which  has  brought  you  back  to  civiliza- 
tion?" 


WITH   nZARKO   IN   VEKV.  243 

"My  countrymen's  needs?"  repeated  Amador 
in  siii'2)rise. 

''  Is  it  possible  you  have  not  heard? " 

"TTt^rd?  I  liave  heard  nothing.  Yours  is  the 
first  white  face  1  have  seen  since  I  left  here,  now 
nearly  a  year  ago." 

"  Indeed !  Then  you  do  not  know  that  the  vice- 
roy Yaca  de  Castro  has  been  recalled  to  Spain; 
that  a  new  viceroy,  Nunez,  has  been  sent  over; 
that  Gonzalo  Pizarro  has  proclaimed  himself  vice- 
roy, and  with  a  large  following  is  even  now  march- 
ing against  Nunez? " 

" Pizarro!  He  has  left  Quito? " 

"  Yes,  he  has  left  Quito,  and  has  wearied  of  his 
silver  mines.  His  army  increases  with  each  day, 
while  Blasco  Nunez  is  hard  pressed." 

"  This  is  news  indeed.  You  make  me  feel  that 
I  have  been  out  of  the  world  indeed.  So  then, 
while  I  Avasted  these  months  in  vain  day-dreams, 
my  countrymen  were  engaged  in  civil  war!  Ter- 
rible civil  war,  which  has  been  our  curse  since  we 
first  set  foot  in  this  golden  land  of  Peru !  But  tell 
me,  Alcan,  this  strife  seems  to  have  left  you  un- 
disturbed.    Do  you  not  support  either  side?" 

"Amador,  I  am  an  old  man.  I  have  spent  the 
best  years  of  my  life  in  fighting.  I  shall  fight  no 
more.     Let  Nunez  and  Pizarro,  which  means,  I 


244  WITH  riZARRO  in  peku. 

suj^pose,  the  crown  and  the  rebel,  settle  the  mat- 
ter between  themselves.  I  care  not  who  is  viceroy 
of  Peru." 

"  But  can  you  sit  calmly  by  and  see  your  iellow- 
men  fighting  and  dying,  without  lending  your 
aid  to  one  side  or  the  other? "  cried  Amador,  now 
all  afire. 

"  I  can.  As  I  said,  Amador,  I  am  an  old  man. 
My  strength  is  broken.  I  have  not  much  longer 
to  live.  AVith  you  it  is  different.  And  in  the  din 
of  battle  you  will  forget  your  unfortunate  love 
for  the  Indian  princess.  You  shake  your  head? 
Ah,  you  will  see !  You  will  live  to  look  upon  it 
as  a  youthful  folly,  and  perchance  will  return  to 
Sj^ain  covered  with  distinction,  a  wealthy  man, 
and  marry  some  fair  maiden  of  your  own  nation. 
But  tell  me,  Amador,  since  you  are  determined 
to  fight,  which  shall  you  support?" 

"Which? — the  viceroy  appointed  by  the  king, 
or  Pizarro?  Ah,  friend  Alcan,  I  have  no  great 
love  for  that  family.  Was  it  not  Pizarro  who 
crossed  my  jilans,  nipx)ed  my  hopes  in  the  bud, 
and  banished  me  to  this  very  settlement?  I  shall 
join  Blasco  de  Nunez,  and  fight  with  him,  to  con- 
quer or  die." 

"  In  that  case  I  am  afraid  it  will  be  the  latter, 
for  I  tell  you,  Gonzalo  Pizarro  wins  fresh  followers 


WITH    PIZAKK<»    I.V    I'KIM  .  245 

every  day.  The  festivities  were  magnificent  in 
Lima  on  the  days  following  his  proclamation  of 
himself  as  governor  and  viceroy.  He  is  verypop- 
nlar,  frank,  and  winning.  Take  my  advice  and 
join  yonr  fortunes  to  his." 

Amador  gazed  at  Alcan  in  astonishment.  What 
inducements  were  these  to  hold  out  to  a  faithful 
Spaniard  ?  Finally  Alcan,  convinced  that  he  could 
not  shake  the  young  man's  resolve,  turned  to  him, 
and  said  seriously:  "Your  mind  is  made  up,  I 
see,  Amador.  Aery  well  then,  I  wish  you  may 
never  regret  it.  But  weary  and  exhausted  as  you 
are,  you  must  admit  that  you  are  in  no  condition 
to  set  out  on  a  long,  fatiguing  march.  You  must 
remain  here  with  me  for  a  few  days,  and  rest. 
There  is  no  great  haste.  This  struggle  for  suprem- 
acy will  not  be  decided  in  a  day  or  a  week." 

Amador  so  far  admitted  that  the  old  soldier  was 
right  as  to  consent  to  remain  until  the  following 
day,  but  could  be  persuaded  to  remain  no  longer. 
Accordingly  he  set  out  on  his  long  and  perilous 
march.  With  him  were  three  or  four  oMier  Span- 
iards and  two  trusty  Indians  who  were  to  guide 
them.  • 

Their  way  led  through  the  mountains,  for  they 
were  forced  to  make  a  wide  detour  around  Quito, 
where  Pizarro  was  now  established  with  his  troops 


246  WITH  pizARRO  in  perit. 

strengthening  his  forces  and  busily  drilling  them. 
The  little  band  of  Spaniards  and  Indians,  there- 
fore, camped  by  night  in  the  mountains  or  ravines, 
deeming  themselves  most  fortunate  if  they  chanced 
to  iind  a  cave  or  sheltered  hollow.  The  cold  was 
often  intense,  and  they  were  but  scantily  provided 
with  blankets.  Finally  the  band,  utterly  ex- 
hausted, half-starved,  since  for  weeks  they  had 
been  living  on  roots  and  such  game  as  they  could 
catch,  arrived  in  Popayan,  tlie  capital  of  Benal- 
cazar's  province,  whither  Blasco  Xuhez  had  taken 
refuge.  It  was  Christmas  eve  when  they  made 
their  forlorn  entry. 

But  they  had  but  brief  spare  to  recover  their 
strength.  Early  in  January  the  viceroy  left  with 
his  troops  for  the  south,  and  finally  arrived  in 
Quito,  only  to  find  it  deserted  by  Pizarro  and  al- 
most all  the  male  inhabitants,  who  had  joined 
Pizarro's  troops.  This  was  a  sad  blow  to  the  un- 
hapx)y  viceroy,  but  after  a  few  days  of  rest  he 
left  the  city  and  j^repared  to  attack  the  rebel 
troops. 

It  was  a  bright,  sunny  day  as  they  turned  their 
backs  upon  the  ancient  city  of  Quito,  but  the 
hearts  of  the  army  were  filled  with  no  such  bright 
hopes  as  the  day  might  have  inspired  in  them. 
They  marched  along,  their  faces  set  in  a  look  of 


WITH   PIZAKRO   IN  PERU.  247 

gloomy  resolve.  On  all  sides  they  had  heard  ru- 
mors of  the  strength  of  Pizarro's  men,  their  excel- 
lent condition,  and  the  skill  of  their  commander. 
And  their  worst  fears  were  realized,  for,  having 
proceeded  for  about  a  mile,  they  perceived  the 
enemy  drawn  up  on  the  crest  of  the  highlands  of 
Afiaquito. 

It  is  needless  to  describe  this  battle,  which  raged 
furiously  and  resulted  in  the  total  defeat  of  the 
viceroy.  The  survivors  lied  into  the  surrounding 
woods,  and  darkness  coming  on  favored  their  es- 
cape, for  Pizarro  sounded  the  trumpets  and  re- 
called his  men  from  further  pursuit  of  the  strag- 
glers. So  it  was  that  as  evening  fell  Amador 
found  himself,  with  a  few  others,  fleeing  through 
the  forest,  whither  they  knew  not. 

The  way  was  totally  unfamiliar  to  them,  and 
the  increasing  darkness  rendered  further  prog- 
ress through  the  almost  impenetrable  forest  im- 
l^ossible.  They  were  safe  for  the  night  at  least, 
and  so  by  common  consent  the  little  band  of  strag- 
glers proceeded  to  make  themselves  as  comfortable 
as  possible  for  the  night,  seeking  to  rest  so  that 
with  the  early  dawn  they  might  escape  yet  further 
from  their  conquerors.  They  dared  not  kindle  a 
fire  for  fear  of  betraying  themselves,  blankets  they 
had  none ;  so  they  huddled  together  at  the  foot  of 


248  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PERTT. 

a  small  liill,  wliicli  afforded  them  some  protection 
from  the  cold  wind. 

At  first  silent,  as  no  sounds  were  heard  but  the 
wind  sighing  and  moaning  through  the  tall  tree- 
tops  and  the  occasional  shriek  of  an  owl,  their 
dread  of  being  overtaken  lessened,  and  their 
tongues  were  loosened.  They  were  all  strangers 
to  each  other;  each  belonged  to  a  different  troop, 
and  not  one  was  probably  conscious  of  ever  hav- 
ing seen  any  of  the  others  during  their  long  march 
to  Quito. 

A  young  man  sitting  nearest  to  Amador  was 
the  first  to  break  the  gloomy  silence.  He  was  a 
slight  young  fellow,  and  had  been  the  first  to  call 
the  attention  of  the  others  to  the  necessity  for  rest, 
that  they  might  have  strength  to  pursue  their 
retreat  by  daylight  of  the  next  day. 

"  Well,"  said  he  now,  with  a  shiver,  "  a  pretty 
plight  we  are  in.  What  do  you  say,  comrades ;  is 
it  better  to  freeze  to  death  here  in  these  forests 
to-night,  or  light  a  fire  and  run  the  risk  of  betray- 
ing our  whereabouts  to  that  Pizarro  and  his  men? 
They  can  but  kill  us.  I  am  not  sure  but  that  he 
would  spare  our  lives  and  welcome  us  into  his 
army.  Shall  we  risk  it?  Heigh  ho!  it  is  cold 
here." 

"  Not  so  cold  as  the '  welcome '  we  would  receive, 


WITH    PIZAUUO    IX    PERU,  240 

young  fellow.  Not  so  cold  as  a  Spanish  l)lade  at 
the  throat." 

"  H'ni !  AVell,  peihai:)S  not!  But  what  is  to  be- 
come of  us?  We  cannot  wander  about  these  for- 
ests forever,  and  do  you  suppose  that  enough  of 
our  men  escaped  to  make  further  resistance  i)os- 
sible? " 

"  You  are  right  there."  said  another.  "  I  myself 
sawBlasco  Nunez  fall,  struck  down  from  his  horse 
by  one  of  Pizarro's  soldiers.  Cabrera,  Benalcazar's 
brave  lieutenant,  was  killed,  I  saw  it  with  my  own 
eyes.  Our  losses  were  fearful.  No,  further  resist- 
ance will  be  useless." 

"  How  unfortunate  that  we  did  not  ally  our- 
selves with  Pizarro !  "  remarked  the  slight  young 
fellow  humorously;  "or,  I  should  rather  say,  un- 
fortunate for  me  was  the  hour  when  I  left  a  com- 
fortable home  in  Panama  to  seek  my  fortunes  in 
this  land  of  perpetual  strife.  I  have  fought  against 
Almagro  the  first,  I  have  fought  against  Almagro 
the  second,  I  have  fought  with  Francisco  Pizarro, 
I  have  fought  with  Vaca  de  Castro,  and  now 
against  this  same  Gonzalo.  I  have  done  enough 
lighting  for  a  lifetime.  Oh,  it  was  indeed  a 
wretched  moment  when  I  decided  to  leave  Panama 
owing  to  the  alluring  accounts  of  a  cousin  of 
mine! " 


250  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU, 

"A  cousin  of  yours?"  echoed  Amador  de  Cala- 
brera.     "And  who  was  that? " 

The  other  men  were  too  much  absorbed  in  their 
own  misery  to  pay  much  attention  to  the  whim- 
sical complainings  of  the  young  man,  who,  despite 
his  complaints,  talked  on  in  a  light-hearted  man- 
ner, without  evincing  in  his  tone  the  discontent 
which  might  have  been  expected  from  his  words. 

"Why,  you  see  it  was  this  way.  About  five 
years  ago  there  arrived  in  our  little  city  of  Pan- 
ama a  band  of  men,  women,  and  children,  colonists 
on  their  way  to  Peru,  which  Pizarro,  the  first,  the 
only  Pizarro,  had  conquered,  or  thought  he  had. 
Among  this  band,  whose  entry  into  our  city  we 
watched  with  such  interest,  for  it  was  a  rare  oc- 
currence to  see  such  a  bodj^  of  settlers  at  once, 
was  a  young  man  who  presented  himself  at  our 
house  that  afternoon.  He  was  a  cousin  of  mine, 
and  had  left  his  home  in  Spain  and  come  to  the 
New  World  to  seek  his  fortunes.  He  brought 
letters  of  recommendation  to  my  father  from  his 
father,  also  a  cousin,  but  while  presenting  them 
explained  that  he  had  no  further  use  for  them 
now,  as  he  had  decided  to  seek  his  fortune  in  Peru 
with  the  band  of  colonists.  My  father's  remon- 
strances were  useless;  young  Amador  would  hear 
nothing  of  a  tame,  uneventful  mercantile  life,  he 


WITH  nzAUKO  i\  pertj.  251 

said  liis  nature  thirsted,  for  adventure;  in  short, 
his  was  a  severe  attack  of  Peru  fever.  I  know  it 
well  now,  I  am  familiar  with  the  disease  myself. 

"  Now,  at  the  time  I  was  a  mere  boy,  sixteen 
years  old.  Amador  paid  no  attention  to  me,  but 
I  could  not  take  my  eyes  from  him,  and  sat  there 
.spell-bound.  He  wore  a  complete  suit  of  armor, 
dazzling  and  new,  something  wdiich  I  had  never 
seen  before.  He  jwured  out  vivid  descriptions  of 
the  glories  of  Peru,  and  the  large  fortunes  which 
awaited  everyone  there;  fortunes  w^hichlay  wait- 
ing to  be  i^icked  up  by  any  one.  My  father  pooh- 
poohed  this  youthful  enthusiasm,  but  it  had  a 
wonderful  effect  uj^on  me. 

"My  cousin  left  that  very  day,  and  graciously 
vouchsafed  me  a  nod  of  farewell,  and  remarked : 
'  Well,  my  boy,  you  had  better  come  out  there 
too,  wdien  you  are  a  little  older.' 

"  Of  course  I  was  wildly  desirous  to  go  then, 
without  an  instant's  delay,  but,  needless  to  re- 
mark, was  forcibly  prevented  by  my  parents.  I 
was  totally  unfitted  for  life  in  Panama,  however. 
I  thought  but  of  Peru.  I  dreamed  of  it  by  night. 
My  duties  as  my  father's  secretary  and  clerk  in 
a  counting-house  were  thoroughly  distasteful  to 
me,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  my  father  had  every 
reason  to  be  dissatisfied  with  me.     Finally,  three 


252  WITH   PIZARllO   IN   PERU. 

years  ago,  having  arrived  at  what  I  considered 
years  of  discretion,  I  took  the  matter  in  my  own 
hands,  and,  like  the  young  fool  that  I  was,  left 
a  comfortable  home  in  Panama  to  come  to  this 
wretched  country. 

"  I  have  not  made  my  fortune,  I  never  expect  to 
receive  pay  for  the  various  campaigns  I  have  served 
in,  and  now  here  I  am  in  tins  delightful  strait.  I 
should  like  to  meet  that  cousin  who  is  responsible 
for  all  this,  and  learn  how  he  has  fared.  If  he  has 
come  off  no  better  than  I  have  I  could  forgive  him, 
but  should  I  find  him  a  wealthy  and  prosperous 
man,  I  cannot  answer  for  my  actions." 

Amador  had  listened  to  him  with  some  amuse- 
ment and  now  said:  "Well,  you  have  your  wish 
unless  lam  very  much  mistaken,  for  I  am  Amador 
de  Calabrera." 

The  young  man  turned  in  surprise  and  tried  to 
make  out  his  comx)anion's  features,  but  the  dark- 
ness made  this  impossible;  so  he  clapped  him  on 
the  shoulder  with  a  heartiness  undiminished  by 
the  discomforts  of  their  situation,  and  cried: 

"  Enough !  In  that  case  I  can  forgive  you  read- 
ily, cousin!  You  must  have,  like  myself,  discov- 
ered that  this  charming  Peru  is  a  beautiful  myth. 
Have  you  wished  yourself  back  in  Panama  as 
many  times  as  I  have,  I  wonder? " 


WITH    VIZMUU)   IN   TEIIU.  253 

"  Seriously,  no.  I  long  since  discovered  the 
vainness  of  my  dreams  and  learned  that  this  land 
was  far  from  being  what  it  had  been  described. 
But  this  is  owing  to  the  Spaniards  themselves. 
Better  times  may  yet  come,  although  I  am  willing 
to  admit  that  the  prospect  is  a  dark  one  at  pres- 
ent. I  am  very  sorry  that  my  enthusiasm  en- 
ticed you  away  from  your  home,  cousin,  since  you 
so  regret  it." 

"  Oh,  well,  experience  has  to  be  purchased.  I 
might  have  fared  worse.  I  might  have  gone  to 
sea  and  fallen  into  the  hands  of  cannibals,  and 
being  young  and  green  they  would  not  have 
spared  me.  I  am  sure  I  should  have  been  excel- 
lent eating.  Do  not  worry  yourself  on  that  score. 
Cousin  Amador.  It  is  a  strange  freak  of  fate  that 
we  should  meet  here.  By  the  way,  since  you 
deigned  to  take  so  little  notice  of  me  on  that  fatal 
afternoon  in  Panama,  I  am  sure  your  memory  of 
my  name  needs  refreshing.  Could  you  have  told 
that  I  am  called  Hernando  in  addition  to  my 
family  name  de  Calabrera?" 

"  I  must  confess  that  I  could  not." 

" I  thought  as  much;  but  I  bear  you  no  grudge 
for  that.  I  shall  be  everlastingly  indebted  to  you 
if  you  can  devise  some  means  of  getting  out  of 
this  most  unpleasant  x^redicament.    Can  we,  do 


254  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

you  think,  ever  find  our  way  tlirough  these  dense 
forests  even  by  daylight,  and  if  we  can,  where 
shall  that  way  lead  us  to?  Are  you  familiar  with 
this  part  of  the  country? " 

"I  am  not.  Cousin  Hernando.  I  have  never 
been  in  this  region  before,  and  agree  that  our. 
chances  of  finding  our  way  out  of  these  forests 
are  doubtful.  As  to  what  our  best  plan  would  be, 
it  seems  to  me  that  the  only  thing  for  us  to  do  is 
to  make  our  way  back  to  the  north,  back  toward 
Popayan." 

"  If  we  can,"  interrupted  Hernando  significantly. 
"And  now,  cousin,  I  am  going  to  sleep.  I  should 
advise  you  to  fallow  my  example.  It  is  not  the 
warmest  bed  in  the  world,  this  forest  sod,  but  it 
might  be  worse.     Good-night." 

The  young  fellow  suited  the  action  to  the  word 
by  stretching  himself  on  the  ground,  and  actually 
fell  asleep  in  a  few  seconds.  Amador  remaint^d 
awake,  sleep  was  impossible  for  him.  He  had  re- 
ceived a  slight  wound  in  one  arm,  which,  although 
not  serious,  now  pained  him  considerably,  and  he 
could  not  shake  off  his  anxiety  for  their  fate. 

With  the  first  glimmer  of  light  he  awaked  his 
cousin,  who  had  slept  through  all  that  cold  night 
as  soundly  as  though  upon  the  softest  couch.  The 
other  men  were  awake,  and  the  little  band  con- 


"VVITII   PIZAIIKO   IN   PERU.  2i)5 

suited  as  to  the  best  direction  to  proceed  in,  ijut 
they  could  not  agree.  Amador  was  for  X'ushing 
directly  nortliward  until  they  had  travelled  far 
enough  to  be  out  of  piolmble  reach  of  PizaiTo's 
men,  and  then,  turning  westward,  he  hoped  to 
strike  some  road,  or  at  least  escape  from  the  forest 
to  more  easily  traversed  country.  Some  of  the 
others,  on  the  contrary,  thought  best  to  continue 
eastward,  and  escape  into  the  mountains,  for  they 
were  convinced  tliat  all  the  coast  country  would 
be  occupied  by  Pizarro's  soldiers,  and  escape  in 
that  direction  impossible. 

Hernando  Calabrera  listened  to  the  arguments 
of  both  parties  in  silence,  and  finally  declared  in 
favor  of  Amador.  As  the  others  were  firm  in  their 
opinion,  the  band  divided — Amador,  Hernando, 
and  two  others  setting  out  northward,  the  others 
eastward.  The  two  divisions  bade  each  other  fare- 
well, and  wished  each  other  God-speed. 

After  days  of  walking,  almost  starved,  Amador 
and  his  companions  did  finally  arrive  in  Popayan. 
The  direction  selected  by  Amador  proved  to  be 
the  best  one  he  could  have  chosen,  for  after  some 
days  they  came  to  a  part  of  the  country  through 
which  he  had  passed  before,  on  his  journey  to  the 
same  place.  Being  naturally  observant  he  recog- 
nized the  region,  and  was  able  from  his  recoUec- 


256  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PERU. 

tions  of  tlie  first  journey  to  guide  his  party  safely, 
although  not  without  undergoing  many  hardships, 
to  their  destination.  They  met  various  bands  of 
Spaniards  and  Indians  on  the  way,  but  if  these 
Spaniards  were  part  of  Pizarro's  army,  they  offered 
no  opposition  to  the  stragglers,  but  on  the  con- 
trary many  of  them  assisted  them,  XJrovided  them 
with  food,  or  sheltered  them  for  the  night.  They 
never  learned  the  fate  of  their  other  comrades  of 
the  night  in  the  forest.  Whether  they  lost  their 
way  and  wandered  through  the  woods,  finally 
perishing  of  starvation  and  exhaustion,  or  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  the  mountains,  only  to  meet 
death  there,  could  be  only  guessed.  Having  ar- 
rived in  Popayan,  they  stayed  there  for  some 
time,  recovering  from  their  long  march.  Ama- 
dor's wound  had  healed,  but  owing  to  lack  of 
proper  attention  had  left  his  arm  stiff,  and  it 
seemed  doubtful  whether  he  would  ever  fully  re- 
cover the  use  of  it.  Fighting  was  for  the  present 
out  of  the  question,  and  one  day,  some  months 
after  their  arrival,  the  governor  Benalcazar,  with 
but  a  small  retinue,  arrived  in  his  capital  and 
resumed  the  reins  of  government. 

From  him  definite  news  could  be  learned,  and 
when  his  story  was  told  every  one  knew  that  fur- 
ther resistance  to  Gonzalo  Pizarro's  rule  would 


WITH    PIZAURO    IX    VFAIV.  257 

be  worse  tlian  useless.  Benalcazar  liad  nothing  to 
complain  of  personally,  lie  had  been  well  treated 
after  being  taken  prisoner,  his  wounds  had  been 
carefully  attended  to,  and  he  had  finally  been  re- 
leased from  captivity  and  allowed  to  return  with 
a  few  followers  to  his  former  i)rovince,  where  he 
was  permitted  to  resume  his  autliprity,  upon  con- 
dition that  he  should  never  again  take  up  arms 
against  Pizarro.  He  had  readily  given  this  prom- 
ise, and  kept  it— for  a  time.  Not  until  the  pre- 
late Pedro  de  la  Clasca  had  gained  many  allies 
from  the  soldiers  of  Pizarro  himself,  did  he  again 
take  part  against  him. 

Hernando  Calabrera  had  had  enough  of  Peru, 
as  he  informed  his  cousin  briefly.  He  therefore 
resolved  to  return  to  his  home,  and  urged  Amador 
to  go  with  him.  It  needed  not  much  persuasion 
to  induce  his  cousin  to  consent.  There  was  no 
reason  why  he  should  remain  in  Peru.  Life  there 
was  more  than  ever  distasteful  to  him,  he  told 
himself,  and  accordingly  one  day,  nearly  a  year 
after  his  first  arrival  there,  Amador,  with  his 
young  cousin  Hernando,  turned  his  back  upon 
the  city  of  Popayan,  and  the  two,  in  company 
with  several  other  men,  made  their  way  to  the 

coast,  where  they  took  shii)  for  Panama. 
17 


xyii. 

The  two  cousins  had  of  course  been  unable  to 
send  any  news  of  their  coming  to  their  relatives 
in  Panama,  and  it  was  with  varied  feelings  that 
Hernando  stood  on  the  deck,  of  their  vessel  as  they 
entered  the  harbor.  He  had  received  but  the 
vaguest  rumors  of  his  family  during  the  four  years 
that  had  elajDsed  since  his  departure  from  home. 
He  had  received  no  letters,  and  although  he  had 
availed  himself  of  any  opportunity  which  had 
presented  to  send  home  news  of  himself,  he  could 
not  be  certain  that  any  of  his  messages  had  ever 
reached  their  destination.  As  for  Amador,  he 
felt  but  the  slightest  interest  in  what  fortune  had 
in  store  for  him  in  Panama. 

Upon  landing,  both  remarked  the  great  changes 
'which  had  taken  place  in  Panama.  Even  Amador, 
although  he  had  passed  but  one  day  in  the  town, 
now  more  than  six  years  ago,  could  see  these 
changes.  As  for  Hernando,  he  had  difficulty  in 
finding  his  old  home. 


WITH   I'izAKKo  rx  i*i;i:i\  259 

Hiiving  at  lust  fouiicl  the  house,  he  knocked  at 
the  door  witli  some  trepidation.  Tliese  years  had 
effected  siicli  ciuinges  in  the  town,  what  changes 
might  not  have  come  to  pass  in  liis  family^  His 
father,  his  mother — were  they  still  alive ^ 

After  a  short  delay,  the  door  was  opened  by  a 
young  girl  of  eighteen,  who  resembled  Hernando 
sufficiently  for  the  most  casual  observer  to  pro- 
nounce her  his  sister.  She  gazed  ;it  the  two  men 
blankly,  and  started  back  in  alarm  as  Hernando 
put  his  arm  around  her  and  drew  her  to  him. 

'*  What,  Anita,  have  I  changed  so  greatly  that 
thou  canst  not  recognize  me?"  he  asked,  half 
laughingly,  half  sadly. 

"Ah,  huon  Dios,  is  it  Hernando,  my  own 
brother?"  cried  the  girl,  after  a  moment's  puzzled 
stare  at  him.  "Is  it  i)ossible?  Is  it  really  thee, 
Hernando?" 

"  It  certainly  is,  Anita  mia,  and  this  gentleman 
is  thy  cousin,  Sehor  Amador  de  Calabrera.  Thou 
canst  not  remember  him,  probably,  my  sister,  for 
thou  wast  but  a  little  girl  when  he  was  here  six 
years  ago." 

"  Remember  him  I  certainly  do,"  replied  the 
girl,  shyly  offering  her  hand.  "  But  how  is  it  that 
yon  come  as  though  dropped  from  the  sky?  And 
here  I  keep  you  standing  here,  instead  of  bringing 


260  WITH   PIZARRO   IN    PERU. 

you  in.  Come  in  quickly.  0  my  brother  how 
glad  I  am  to  see  thee!  And  thou  too,  cousin," 
she  hastened  to  add,  turning  to  Amador. 

"One  moment,  Anita!  "  hastily  interposed  Her- 
nando, holding  her  back,  as  she  would  have  drawn 
him  into  the  house.  "  My  father,  my  mother,  tell 
me,  are  they " 

"  Well  as  they  can  be  since  they  have  never 
ceased  to  mourn  thee,  and  have  long  ago  given  up 
all  hope  of  ever  seeing  thee  again.  Do  not  delay 
longer,  come  in.  Mother!  mother!"  she  called, 
hurriedly  preceding  them  into  the  house. 

The  scene  that  followed  can  better  be  imagined 
than  described.  The  joy  of  the  white-haired 
father  and  mother  over  the  return  of  this  their 
eldest-born  was  unbounded.  Amador,  too,  was 
made  welcome,  although  as  Hernando  laughingly 
remarked,  he  deserved  all  the  blame  for  alluring 
their  only  son  from  home.  It  was  touching  to  see 
old  Sefior  de  Calabrera.  He  would  scarcely  let 
"  his  boy,"  as  he  still  called  the  bronzed,  soldierly 
young  man,  out  of  his  sight,  but  took  him  every- 
where, showed  him  everything,  and  considted  him 
at  every  point.  Hernando's  future  was  evident. 
He  would  be  his  father's  assistant  and  mainstay 
in  his  business,  which  increased  with  each  day, 
and  would  eventually  succeed  him.     He  had  had 


Willi   I'l/AKKo  I.N   i'i;i;r.  261 

enougli  of  a  roving,  adventurous  life,  as  lie  one 
day  gravely  assured  Amador,  and  proposed  to 
settle  down,  and  advised  Amador  to  do  the  same. 

This  was  quite  iK)ssible,  did  Amador  so  choose. 
His  cousin,  Hernando's  father,  was  most  cordially 
disposed  toward  him,  and  in  fact  seemed  to  re- 
gard him  as  the  means  of  his  son's  restoration  to 
him.  Many  an  hour  was  Hernando  forced  to  pass 
in  relating  his  adventures  since  his  abrupt  depar- 
ture from  home,  and  his  adventures  had  l)een 
more  extensive  than  even  those  of  Amador,  for 
the  younger  Calabrera  had  been  one  of  the  expe- 
dition which,  under  Gonzalo  Pizarro,  had  jour- 
neyed to  the  so-called  ''  Land  of  Cinnamon."  He 
had  been  one  of  that  band  which  had  reached  the 
Napo  River;  he  had  been  one  of  those  who  anx- 
iously awaited  the  return  of  Orellana,  merely  to 
learn  from  a  single,  onlv  faithful  comrade,  that 
they  had  been  treacherously  deserted;  and  he  was 
one  of  those  eighty  worn-out,  broken-down  men 
Avho  after  almost  a  year  of  terrible  sufferings  and 
hardships  had  finally  reached  Quito. 

The  young  man  related  his  adventures  modestly, 
and,  in  telling  of  their  retreat  after  the  battle  of 
ATiaquito,  he  dwelt  upon  the  skilful  manner  in 
which  Amador  had  ouided  them  through  the  dense 
forests,  and  concluded  by  saying:  ''Without  my 


202  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

good  cousin  here,  I  am  very  sure  I  sliould  never 
have  reached  Popayan  alive." 

Although  Amador  disclaimed  any  such  extrav- 
agant praise,  his  relatives'  gratitude  was  won  for 
life.  He  in  turn  was  entreated  to  tell  them  of  his 
own  adventures,  but  generally  gave  but  evasive 
replies.  He  could  not  speak  to  them  of  Inez,  and 
he  could  not  tell  them  of  his  experiences  in  Vilca- 
bamba  without  speaking  of  her,  so  he  contented 
himself  with  telling  them  of  Cuzco  and  Lima,  to 
which  latter  place  his  cousin  had  never  been. 

Amador  was  offered  a  place  in  his  cousin's 
counting-house  and  accepted  it.  He  fancied  that 
X^erhaps  he  might  be  content  to  end  his  days  here, 
but  it  was  not  to  be  so.  Meanwhile  Pedro  de  la 
Gasca  arrived  in  Panama,  and  remained  there  for 
some  time,  negotiating  with  Pizarro  and  his  gen- 
erals. Finally,  being  unable  to  induce  the  rebel 
leader  to  surrender,  he  marched  against  him,  with 
an  ever-increasing  armJ^  But  neither  of  the  Cala- 
brera  cousins  went  with  him  Hernando  having 
had  enough  of  war,  as  he  said,  while  Amador's 
stiff  arm  incapacitated  him  for  further  service. 

News  travelled  slowly  indeed,  but  in  time  they 
heard  of  the  battle  of  Huaiina,  and  the  defeat  of 
the  army  of  the  President  of  the  Audience,  as 
Gasca  was  styled;  then  of  the  terrible  rout  of  the 


WITH    riZAKKO    IN    PERU.  263 

rebels  at  Xiiquixaguana,  and  the  execution  of  the 
bold  leader  Pizairo  and  his  adviser  Carbajal ;  and 
three  years  after  the  two  cousins'  arrival  in  Pan- 
ama, the  clever  Gasca,  whose  politic  measures  had 
accom})lished  so  much  in  so  short  a  time,  arrived 
there.  He  was  received  with  great  honors,  but 
he  made  no  long  stay  there,  but  crossed  the  isth- 
mus and  set  sail  for  Spain. 

These  tliree  years  had  been  sufficient  to  prove 
to  Amador  de  Calabrera  that  he  could  not  be  con- 
tent to  live  longer  in  Panama.  Hernando  had 
married  a  Si^anish  girl  and  settled  down  as  the 
most  domestic  of  men,  and,  had  Amador  chosen, 
nothing  could  have  been  more  easy  than  for  him 
to  follow  his  example.  Pretty  little  Anita  inno- 
cently betrayed  her  fondness  for  her  handsome 
cousin  in  a  thousand  waj's,  unknown  to  herself, 
and  he  could  be  certain  that  the  parents  Avould 
offer  no  objections.  He  had  won  their  liking  and 
respect,  he  was  faithful  to  his  work,  and  had  every 
reason  to  suppose  that,  should  he  marry  little 
Anita,  he  Avould  succeed  eventually  with  Her- 
nando to  her  father's  business. 

At  times  the  thought  of  marrying  Anita  pre- 
sented itself  to  him  most  attractively.  She  was  a 
sweet,  lovable  girl,  pretty  as  one  could  ask,  a  de- 
voted sister  and  daughter;  why  should  she  not 


264  WITH   PIZAKRO   11^   PERTJ. 

make  an  equally  good  wife?  Why  could  he  not 
be  content  with  such  a  lot  which  hundreds  would 
envy  him,  and,  ending  his  rovings,  lead  a  peaceful 
if  humdrum  life?  So  thinking,  he  would  almost 
resolve  to  ask  his  little  cousin  to  give  her  hand 
where  he  well  knew  she  had  ah'eady  given  her 
heart,  and  would  fancy  himself  striving  to  make 
her  happy,  becoming  more  and  more  fond  of  her 
— he  loved  her  now  in  a  calm,  brotherly  way — 
and  then — then — from  the  mists  of  the  past,  mem- 
ory would  summon  a  single  figure,  a  tall,  slight 
maiden,  lissome  and  supple  as  a  willow  wand;  a 
pair  of  soft  dark  eyes  would  seem  to  gaze  into  his 
as  they  had  once,  oh !  so  many  months  ago — years 
it  seemed  to  him — involuntarily  he  would  stretch 
out  his  arms,  crying,  "Aclia!  Aclia!"  and  the 
form  would  fade  away — he  w^ould  rouse  from  his 
revery  to  the  present,  the  prosaic  present.  On 
such  occasions  he  would  wander  off  by  himself 
into  the  country,  away  from  the  city,  away  from 
his  fellow-men,  and  return  late  at  night,  worn  out 
and  dispirited. 

One  morning,  after  he  had  returned  the  night 
before  from  one  of  these  solitary  tramps,  he  en- 
tered the  little  sitting-room — he  had  lived  in  his 
cousin's  family  during  all  this  time,  nearly  three 
years — where  Anita  sat  busy  with   some   light 


WITH   PTZAIUIO    IX    PERT'.  205 

work,  and  threw  liiiiiself  wearily  into  a  chair.  Tt 
was  a  feast  day,  and  lie  had  nothing  to  do  at  the 
connting-house.  He  was  absorbed  in  his  gloomy 
thoughts,  and  careless  of  his  surroundings.  Sud- 
denly, chancing  to  look  up,  he  saw  his  cousin 
Anita's  eyes  fixed  upon  him. 

She  colored  slightly,  and  instantly  averted  them, 
but  the  same  thing  occurred  again.  Smiling 
faintly,  Amador  turned  to  her  and  said:  "Cousin 
Anita,  what  do  you  see  in  me  to  interest  you  so 
much?"  The  words  were  said  half  jokingly,  but 
the  girl  blushed  painfully,  and  seemed  wounded. 
Seeing  this,  Amador  said  kindly: 

"  Come,  Anita,  do  not  be  vexed  with  me;  tell 
me,  dear,  why  you  looked  at  me  so  closely?  You 
had  some  reason  for  it.  "What  were  you  tliink- 
ing  of? " 

After  some  hesitation,  the  girl  said  timidl}': 
"You  look  so  wretchedly  this  morning.  Cousin 
Amador,  and  I  have  often  noticed  the  same  ex- 
pression on  your  face.  You  are  unhappy.  Will 
you  not  tell  me  what  troubles  you?  Perhaps  I 
can  comfort  j'ou ;  you  know  mamma  tells  me  all 
her  troubles." 

Amador  gazed  at  her  in  surprise.  He  had  never 
before  fancied  that  any  one  here  had  divined  his 
melancholy.     Suddenly   he  took  a  hasty  resolve. 


266  WITH   PIZAPvRO   IN   PERU. 

Yes,  lie  would  tell  this  gentle,  sympathetic  girl 
all.  He  had  spoken  of  Inez  to  no  one  since  he  had 
left  old  Captain  Alcan's  house.  Perhaps  it  would 
do  him  good  to  pour  out  his  whole  heart  to  some 
one.  And  accordingly  he  did  tell  her  all,  from 
his  first  meeting  with  Aclia  down  to  the  last  time 
he  had  seen  her,  when  she  stood  with  her  brother 
and  Inca  Condor  and  listened  first  to  the  judges' 
decision,  then  to  Inca  Manco's  final  confirmation 
of  this  decision. 

He  did  not  once  glance  at  Anita  as  he  told  his 
story,  and  he  felt  rather  than  saw  the  change 
which  came  over  her.  He  could  not  see  how  all 
the  light  and  youth  vanished  from  her  face,  how 
her  lips  quivered,  for  when  he  had  finished  she 
was  apparently  calm,  and  betrayed  no  more  emo- 
tion than  might  easily  be  ascribed  to  a  sisterly 
sympathy  with  him. 

She  held  out  her  hand  to  him,  and  her  eyes 
showed  more  plainly  than  words  could  how  sorry 
she  was  for  him.  "How  could  you  leave  Peru 
without  knowing  her  fate,  cousin?"  she  asked. 
"Ah,  how  could  you?" 

Amador  gazed  at  her  in  some  surprise.  Had 
he  been  mistaken,  had  he  deceived  himself,  and 
did  she  care  for  him  only  in  a  sisterly  fashion? 

"  It  was  useless  to  wait  longer,  Anita;  she  could 


WITH    PIZAllRO   IN   PEPwU.  207 

have  sent  me  word  hud  .she  wished.  Ah,  no,  she 
is  dead !  But  I  do  not  know  why  I  have  bored 
you  witli  all  this.  I  have  told  no  one  of  her  since 
I  gave  up  hope,  and  left  the  region  where  I  had 
so  vainly  waited." 

"  You  have  not  bored  me,  dear  Amador.  T  am 
very  sorry  for  you.     I  wish  I  could  help  you." 

"  You  do  help  me  by  your  sympathy,  my  dear 
little  cousin ;  but  do  not  worry  yourself  further 
about  me.  All  this  was  more  than  three  years 
ago,  and  I  am  still  alive,  you  see."  AVitli  these 
words  Amador  left  the  room,  but  paused  and 
half  turned  back  as  he  closed  the  door,  for  was 
not  that  a  sob  which  came  to  his  ear  through  the 
door^  But,  after  a  moment's  hesitation,  he  turned 
away  with  a  shake  of  the  head. 

From  that  day,  however,  there  was  a  change  in 
Anita,  a  change  perceptible  to  her  parents,  but 
the  cause  of  which  was  guessed  by  Amador  alone. 
His  resolution  was  soon  taken.  The  newly  ap- 
pointed viceroj'  arrived  in  Panama  on  his  way  to 
Lima.  Amador,  fully  conversant  with  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Peruvian  Indians,  was  of  great  use 
to  a  new  ruler,  totally  ignorant  of  both  language 
and  customs,  and  therefore  when  he  offered  his 
services,  asking  for  some  suitable  position,  his 
offer  was  readily  accepted.     Another  man  would 


268  WITH   PIZARRO   IK   PERU. 

have  estimated  himself  more  highly,  and  asked 
for  and  probably  obtained  a  brilliant  governmen- 
tal position;  but  Amador's  ambition  was  gone,  his 
only  thought  was  to  leave  Panama,  for  he  felt 
confident  that,  once  out  of  sight,  it  would  not  be 
long  before  he  was  also  out  of  mind  with  his  young 
Cousin  Anita. 

His  relatives  remonstrated  in  vain.  Hernando 
entreated  him  to  reconsider  his  decision,  holding 
out  eveiy  possible  inducement  to  him  to  remain, 
also  in  vain,  and  finally  concluded  that  for  some 
whimsical  notion,  wholly  incomprehensible  to  him, 
his  little  sister 'had  rejected  him.  For  it  had  long 
been  a  settled  thing  in  his  mind  that  Amador 
was  to  marry  Anita. 

So  one  day  the  little  family  assembled  together 
at  dinner  for  the  last  time,  and  after  the  gloomy 
meal  was  ended  Amador  bade  them  farewell. 
Anita's  fntlier  told  him  that  when  the  time  came, 
as  come  he  was  sure  it  would,  when  he  longed  for 
Panama  again,  to  remember  that  one  house  there 
would  always  be  open  to  him.  He  and  his  wife 
both  suspected  that  this  departure  was  the  result 
of  some  quarrel  between  the  two  cousins,  and 
Sehora  de  Calabrera  had  even  questioned  her 
daughter,  but  could  learn  nothing  from  Anita,  as 
the  girl  merely  reiterated  that  there  had  been  no 


Willi    I'lZAinio  i.\   I'Kiiir.  209 

quarrel  between  tliem — how  should  there  be? — and 
that  she  was  as  ignorant  of  the  reasons  for  Ama- 
dor's dejiarture  as  w^ere  the  others. 

She  bore  np  bravely  to  the  last,  though  her 
little  hand  trembled  in  Amador's,  but  she  con- 
trolled herself  by  a  desperate  effort,  and  none  of 
her  family  suspected  how  her  heart  ached.  Poor 
little  Anita!  her  life  was  a  short  one.  A  malig- 
nant fever  raged  in  Panama  the  following  sum- 
mer, and  she  was  one  of  its  first  victims. 

Amador  de  Calabrera  arrived  without  further 
adventure  in  Quito.  The  country  enjoyed  peace 
under  this  new  viceroy  and  his  successor.  There 
were  no  more  w^ars,  merely  an  occasional  skirmish 
with  the  Indians.  Civil  war  was  at  an  end.  There 
were  many  stirring  scenes,  however,  some  years 
later,  when  the  two  peaceable  viceroys  had  been 
succeeded  by  a  far  different  man.  Nor  did  Ama- 
dor remain  in  Quito  for  any  length  of  time.  His 
position  demanded  that  he  make  many  long,  weari- 
some journeys ;  but  no  undertaking,  however  fool- 
hardy and  dangerous,  had  any  fears  for  liini.  Fi- 
nally, after  long  years  of  toil,  he  returned  poor  in 
gold,  rich  in  scars,  and  with  enfeebled  strength  to 
the  coast.  That  period  of  his  life  when  he  had 
searched  for  the  valleys  of  Yilcabamba,  and  his 
adventures  and  exj)eriences  at  the  court  of  Inca 


270  WITH    PIZARKO   IN   PERU. 

Manco,  seemed  like  a  dream  to  him ;  like  a  dream 
rose  at  times  to  his  mind  the  a];)pointments  and 
ceremonies  of  that  little  court,  which  in  its  frag- 
mentary state  had  given  him  a  glimjDse  of  the 
former  splendor  of  the  Inca  realm. 

And  then  he  would  think  and  dream  of  Aclia. 
Aclia  in  all  her  youthful  pride  and  beauty,  as  she 
had  appeared  to  him  in  long  past  days,  for  he 
made  no  allowance  for  the  changes  which  all  these 
years  would  have  effected  in  her  were  she  still 
alive. 

He  himself  was  a  prematurely  old  man,  his  hair 
was  gray,  his  limbs  stiff,  and  he  was  at  last  glad 
to  settle  in  Lima  as  governmental  secretary.  Here 
he  now  exjpected  to  end  his  days.  Sometimes  he 
fancied  that  he  would  some- day  makefile  journey 
to  Vilcabamba  and  revisit  the  scenes  of  his  youth- 
ful dreams. 

This  would  be  no  such  difficult  task  now  as 
when,  nearly  thirty  years  ago,  he  had  pursued  his 
solitary  way  along  the  unfamiliar  mountain  pass. 
Vilcabamba  no  longer  had  the  charm  of  mystery 
for  the  Si:)aniards.  They  had  succeeded  many 
times  in  making  their  way  there,  but  none  of  these 
explorers  could  give  him  any  news  of  the  prin- 
cess, although  he  had  made  inquiries  of  more  than 
one.     If  she  were  still  living  there,  her  existence 


WITH   i'i/\i;i;<)  IX  I'KKTT.  271 

must  be  kept  a  secret.  Spanish  monks,  among 
others,  had  gone  there,  and  madeattenijjts  at  ((in- 
verting the  natives,     Thev  'li<l  succeed  in  estab- 

CD  *■ 

lishing  a  Christian  coninmnity  and  winning  the 
young. ruler,  Sayri  Tupac  Yupanci  for  Christian- 
ity, but  their  success  was  not  hnsting,  for  tlie 
heathen  priests  succeeded  in  inciting  the  i:)eople 
against  the  Christians,  and  a  true  persecution  was 
the  result. 

The  Spaniards  were  driven  out,  heathendom 
was  re-established  in  the  vallev,  and  since  Inca 
Manco's  death,  a  third  Inca,  Tupnc  Amaru,  sat  on 
the  throne  of  his  fathers  in  this  secluded  region, 
and  proudly  called  himself  the  lawful  ruler  of  the 
kingdom  of  the  four  suns. 

In  the  provinces   occupied  by  the  Spaniards, 

many  descendants  of   the   Inca  lived   as  chiefs. 

They  ruled  the  land,  subject,  however,  to  Spanish 

authority,  but  in  secret  they  i)aid  allegiance  to 

.Tupac  Amaru. 

Then  the  "  iron  viceroy "  came  into  authority 
over  Peru.  This  was  Francisco  de  Toledo.  UjDon 
entering  into  his  power,  he  had  Jirnily  resolved  to 
bring  peace  and  order  to  the  land,  and  believed 
that  this  could  be  accomplished  only  by  nnnilii- 
lating  the  entire  Inca  family,  for  to  these  descend- 
ants of  the  "  children  of  the  sun "  the  Indians 


272  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

still  paid  the  old  liomageand  reverence,  bordering 
on  adoration, 

Francisco  de  Toledo  formed  a  devilish  plan  for 
the  destruction  of  the  Incas.  He  summoned  all 
the  male  members  of  the  family  to  appear*  before 
him,  and  when  thirty-nine  obeyed  his  commands, 
he  declared  to  them  that  they  must  change  their 
places  of  residence,  and  designated  to  them  for 
their  future  home  lands  which  were  notorious  for 
their  unhealthy  climate  and  the  prevalence  of 
fevers. 

The  poor  Incas  obeyed  the  command,  and  at 
the  end  of  a  year  Francisco  de  Toledo  learned  with 
secret  joy  that  thirty-eight  of  the  exiles  had  suc- 
cumbed to  the  fevers. 

Tupac  Amaru  alone  did  not  bow  before  the 
sceptre  of  the  iron  viceroy.  In  vain  did  Francisco 
de  Toledo  seek  to  allure  him  from  his  lofty  eyrie 
to  Lima,  by  all  manner  of  offers.  He  did  not  trust 
the  S^oaniard's  x^i'omises,  and  remained  in  Vilca- 
bamba. 

But  his  power  could  in  nowise  be  compared  to 
that  formerly  possessed  by  Inca  Manco.  Cut  off 
from  the  cultivated  regions  of  Peru,  bordering  on 
the  regions  of  primeval  forests,  with  their  savage, 
naked  Indians,  the  prosperity  of  Vilcabamba  rap- 
idly declined,  and  Tup»ac  Amaru  was  in  reality  a 


WITH    J'lZAKI^O    IN    PERU.  273 

petty  Indian  cliief,  wlio  i)ossessetl  treasures  of 
considerable  value  indeed,  but  no  real  power. 

When  now  the  Si:)anisli  ('ai)tain,  Martin  Garcia 
de  Loyola,  marched  Avith  two  hundred  and  fifty 
soldiers  against  the  secluded  and  remote  valley, 
Tupac  Amaru  saw  that  all  resistance  would  be 
useless,  and  sought  to  escape  with  his  wife  and 
children  by  one  of  the  streams  flowing  through 
the  valley. 

But  he  was  captured,  and  surrendered  without 
making  the  slightest  resistance. 

The  Spanish  captain  found  a  considerable 
amount  of  spoils,  and  among  other  valuable  arti- 
cles in  gold  brought  the  huge  image  of  the  sun, 
which  was  made  of  solid  gold,  to  Cuzco,  where 
Francisco  de  Toledo  awaited  him.  At  that  time 
all  Spaniards  were  deeply  excited  by  the  magnifi- 
cent treasure  in  gold  which  a  certain  Don  Garcia 
de  Toledo  had  found  in  the  burial-place  of  Chimu, 
and  in  which  about  five  millions  in  gold  of  our 
present  currency  had  been  obtained.  The  happy 
finder  was  still  increasing  his  wealth  in  this  place, 
while  i^aying  to  the  government  the  required  fifth 
part  of  all  his  findings.  The  Spaniards  suspected 
that  the  Inca  must  possess  even  more  valuable 
treasures  which  he  had  hidden,  and  of  which  his 

servants  probably  knew  the  hiding-places.     The 
1 8 


274  WITH   PIZARKO   IN   PEEU. 

Indians  were,  therefore,  subjected  to  tortnre,  bnt 
not  one  of  tlieni  betrayed  any  news  of  the  mythi- 
cal imperial  treasure,  which  is  still  soiiglit  for, 
even  at  the  present  day. 

Inca  Tupac  Amaru  was  meanwhile  accused  of 
high  treason,  rebellion,  robbery,  the  murder  of 
Si:)anish  settlers,  and  other  crimes,  and  without  a 
long  process  was  sentenced  to  death.  The  Indian 
emperor  appealed  to  the  Spanish  king,  Philip  the 
Second,  and  demanded  that  he  should  be  sent  to 
Spain  to  the  king,  but  Francisco  de  Toledo  ig- 
nored the  wisli  of  the  condemned  man.  Then  the 
Bishop  of  Cuzco  and  other  clergy  visited  the  Inca 
in  prison,  and  persuaded  him  to  be  baptized.  The 
Inca  consented,  and  allowed  them  to  give  him  the 
name  of  the  king,  "  Felipe." 

All  the  clergy,  as  well  as  the  most  distinguished 
Spanish  inhabitants  of  Cuzco,  now  petitioned 
clemency  for  Don  Felipe,  Inca  Tupac  Amaru.  But 
Francisco  de  Toledo  remained  unmoved.  He 
barred  the  doors  of  his  palace,  placed  a  double 
guard  before  these  doors,  and  gave  them  strict 
orders  to  allow  no  one  to  pass,  under  penalty  of 
death.  Meanwhile  a  scaffold  was  erected  in  the 
square  before  the  palace,  for  the  execution  was  to 
take  place  the  following  day. 

The  day  of  execution  dawned.     From  all  parts 


WITH    PIZARllO    IN   PERU.  275 

of  the  land  armed  Indians  had  flocked  to  tlie  okl 
capital  city,  Cuzco.  Their  niiiiibers  were  esti- 
mated at  three  hundred  thousand,  and  so  on  the 
decisive  day  the  square  and  streets  were  closely 
packed  with  men. 

"A  cord  around  his  neck  and  riding  upon  a 
mule,"  so  a  historian  of  Peru  relates,  "  the  con- 
demned man  now  advanced  to  his  death.  A  herald 
proceeding  before  him -announced  to  the  assem- 
bled crowd  that  this  traitor,  robber,  rebel,  and 
enemy  of  the  Spaniards,  Tupac  Amaru,  upon  com- 
mand of  the  wise,  just,  and  powerful  viceroy  Fran- 
cisco de  Toledo,  was  to  be  put  to  death  by  the 
sword. 

"The  Inca,  wdio  had  not  been  able  to  master 
the  Spanish  language,  asked  one  of  the  monks 
what  that  man  was  calling  out  in  such  a  piercing 
voice.  He  was  told.  '  Do  not  lie,'  he  cried  out  to 
the  herald ;  '  you,  as  well  as  the  viceroy  and  all 
other  Spaniards  assembled  here,  know  very  well 
that  I  never  planned  treachery  either  against  the 
king  of  Spain  or  his  rei:)resentatives.  I  am  suffer- 
ing death  for  crimes  of  which  I  am  innocent,  and 
the  viceroy  is  having  me  murdered  to  please  him- 
self. I  call  Pachacamac,  the  creator  of  the  world, 
to  witness  of  my  innocence.' 

"  Then  the  Indian  women  crowded  around  him 


276  WITH   riZARRO   IN   PERU. 

and  cried:  'Tell  your  murderers  to  kill  us  instead 
of  you.     We  will  all  gladly  die  for  you.'  ^ 

"  But  the  men  expressed  their  anger  by  a  low 
threatening  murmur,  which  spread  more  and  more 
threateningly,  like  thunder,  through  the  streets  of 
Cuzco.  Then  the  Spaniards  feared  the  worst,  and 
begged  the  condemned  man  to  command  his  peojole 
to  be  silent.  The  Inca  hesitated.  Should  he  sum- 
mon his  people  to  fight?  But  it  may  have  been 
clear  to  him  that  this  attempt  at  resistance  would 
but  rob  thousands  of  his  subjects  of  their  lives, 
wthout  saving  him  and  the  old  Inca  realm.  He 
therefore  raised  his  right  hand  to  a  level  with  his 
shoulder,  let  it  slowly  sink  again,  and  by  this  sign 
silenced  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  natives  there 
assembled.  The  mutterings  as  of  thunder  ceased 
at  once;  not  an  Indian  after  that  so  much  as  ut- 
tered a  sound.  A  silence  as  of  death  brooded  over 
the  crowded  square. 

"  Thus  the  condemned  Inca  once  more  showed 
what  power  his  name  and  sacred  person  alone  ex- 
ercised upon  the  Indians. 

"  With  a  firm  step  the  last  Inca  mounted  the  scaf- 
fold, and  courageously  received  the  death  stroke 
from  the  hand  of  the  Spanish  executioner." 

This  happened  in  the  year  1572. 

Inca  Tupac  Amaru  was  the  last  of  the  crowned 


WITH    PIZAKKO   IN   PERU.  277 

Incus,  and  twentieth  in  the  list  of  emperors  of 
Peru.  A  descendant  of  the  royal  Indian  family, 
one  who  could  riijrhtfully  haye  wound  the  red 
paitscJui  around  his  forehead,  Avas  sent  to  Spain, 
and  in  this  manner  made  harmless.  The  king 
made  him  knight  of  the  order  of  Santiago;  then 
the  last  heir  to  the  throne  was  sent  to  a  cloister, 
where  he  died  quietly  in  the  year  1610. 

No  one  made  any  further  attempt  to  re-establish 
the  old  Inca  rule,  and  the  miraculous  bird  core- 
kenke  no  longer  appeared  at  the  edge  of  the  desert 
of  Vilcanota.  But  these  i^ersecutions  made  Ama- 
dor's thoughts  frequently  dwell  upon  Aclia.  He 
often  wondered  whether  she  were  alive  or  dead, 
whether  she  knew  of  these  last  degradations  which 
were  heaped  upon  the  royal  family,  and  of  their 
sufferings.  Did  she  too  share  in  this  misery,  or 
had  death  long  since  wrapped  her  in  the  sleep  of 
oblivion?  This  latter  conclusion  was  the  most 
comforting  to  him,  for  he  thought  that  her  proud 
nature  could  ill  bear  the  knowledge  of  her  race's 
ruin. 


XVIII. 


After  tlie  death  of  Inca  Tupac  Amaru,  the 
Sj^aniards  continued  the  i^ainf  ul  examination  of 
the  Indians  regarding  the  Inca  treasure.  The 
governmental  secretary,  Amador  de  Calabrera,  was 
forced  to  take  an  active  part  in  these  proceedings, 
so  horrible  to  him. 

One  day  he  said  to  one  of  the  judges :  "  Why 
do  you  continue  your  search  for  Inca  treasures, 
which  certainly  are  no  longer  at  hand?  I  was  at 
Vilcabamba  at  the  time  when  the  country  was  in 
the  height  of  its  prosjoerity,  and  when  I  make  an 
estimate  of  the  spoils  which  Don  Loyola  brought 
back  with  him,  I  am  convinced  that  almost  all  the 
gold  and  silver  of  Vilcabamba  has  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  Spaniards.  Something  else  is  to  be 
sought  in  Vilcabamba,  the  key  to  the  immeasura- 
ble treasures  which  are  hidden  in  the  mountains. 
There  must  be  quicksilver  mines  there.  I  obtained 
gold  amalgam  there  at  Inca  Manco's  orders." 

This  speech  of  Amador  came  to  the  ears  of  the 


WITH    PIZARRO    IN    PKRTT.  270 

iron  viceroy.  He  suiiiiuoned  the  kniglitly  secre- 
tary to  liiiTi,and  asked  for  more  exact  particulars. 
"The  torture  of  the  Indians  is  comparatively 
fruitless,"  Amador  de  Calabrera  concluded  his  re- 
port. "  The  Indians  have  had  from  ancient  times 
a  premonition  of  the  secret  powers  of  mercui-y, 
and  the  Incas  have  kept  these  secrets  of  the  mines 
for  themselves.  But  a  very  few  of  tlie  common 
Indians  have  the  slightest  knowledge  of  these 
mines,  and  it  is  most  certainly  the  innocent  and 
ignorant  who  have  been  and  are  being  tortured. 
But  Princess  Aclia  must  have  known  of  this  se- 
cret. If  she  is  still  alive,  and  if  I  could  speak 
with  her  in  A'ilcabamba,  she  would  surely  conlide 
the  secret  to  me,  now  when  there  are  no  longer 
any  Incas." 

The  viceroy  agreed  to  this  opinion,  and  Amador 
received  leave  of  absence,  and  letters  of  recommen- 
dation to  Spanish  governors.  On  the  very  next 
day  after  his  interview  with  Francisco  de  Toledo 
he  packed  his  travelling  knapsack,  mounted  the 
pony  placed  at  his  disposal,  and  slowly  rode  toward 
Vilcabamba.  Who  would  have  recognized  in  him 
the  brave  cavalryman  of  former  years,  the  Apollo 
and  Mars  in  one  person?  Ah  well,  thirty  years 
of  El  Dorado  hunting  change  men  indeed ! 

So  he  who  had  forced  his  way  through  the  al- 


280  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

most  impassable  stretches  of  primeval  forest  along 
tlie  Amazon  River  now  rode  comfortably  along 
the  broad  turnpikes  of  the  Incas,  the  Caminos  de 
los  Incas,  as  the  Spaniards  called  them,  the 
greatest  monument  which  these  emperors  left  to 
l)osterity,  these  roads  which  were  greater  than  all 
the  temples  and  palaces  of  Peru,  and  astonished 
not  only  the  first  explorers  of  Peru,  but  also  were 
a  source  of  admiration  to  later  travellers  such  as 
Alexander  von  Humboldt. 

Paved  with  hard  tiles,  bordered  with  great  hewn 
stones,  they  ran  for  miles  in  one  direction,  straight 
as  an  arrow  through  the  whole  realm,  climbed  the 
high  mountains,  and  were  not  lacking  in  shady, 
fragrant-blossomed  trees — which  had  first  been 
carefully  planted — as  well  as  refreshing  springs 
and  inns  or  places  of  shelter. 

These  roads  always  ran  in  one  direction,  leading 
over  the  steepest  ascents,  according  to  the  Indian 
custom  of  never  going  around  an  obstacle.  Gal- 
leries were  excavated  in  the  rocks  for  miles;  steps 
hewn  to  descend  to  the  bottom  of  abysses ;  deej), 
yawning  chasms  and  swamps  were  filled  up  with 
solid  masonry;  mountain  streams  spanned  partly 
by  bridges  of  masonry,  partly  by  suspension 
bridges. 

These  roads  did  not  indeed  always  fulfil  the  re- 


WITH   I'izAiMio  IX   I'Kur.  281 

quireiiients  which  Europeans  demand  in  an  arti- 
licial  road.  In  phices,  over  sandy  stretclies  and 
very  rough  ground,  there  was  no  road,  the  way 
l)eing  merely  indicated  by  stakes.  Where  steps 
liad  been  cut  in  descents  tliese  were  often  protected 
merely  by  piles  of  small  stones  at  the  sides ;  tliere 
were  no  banisters  to  facilitate  ascent  and  descent, 
but  merely  dams  to  prevent  earth  slides.  How- 
ever, for  old  Peruvians  who  knew  neither  carriages 
nor  draught  animals,  who  made  their  journeys 
on  foot,  and  whose  burdens  were  carried  u^wn  the 
backs  of  men  or  the  llamas,  who  were  skilled  in 
climbing,  these  roads  were  p)erfectly  sufficient. 
Amador,  however,  who  rode  a  pony,  and  whose 
limbs  were  not  perfectly  reliable,  was  of  a  different 
opinion.  "When  he  led  his  horse  up  and  down 
steps  he  anathematized  tliese  wretched  Caminos 
de  los  Incas,  but  when  he  came  to  a  finely  paved 
stretch  of  road,  or  rested  in  one  of  the  inns,  his 
heart  was  full  of  ju-aise  for  the  remarkable  achieve- 
ments of  the  Inca. 

He  passed  many  fortresses  on  the  way.  He  had 
so  often  participated  in  attacks  upon  these  fort- 
resses, that  he  now  felt  no  desire  to  visit  them. 
What  had  those  massive  walls,  the  secret  passages, 
availed  their  defenders?  It  is  the  spirit  which 
conquers  in  the  world's  history. 


282  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

After  a  long  ride,  Baron  Amador  reached  the 
valley  where  was  the  old  military  settlement,  Ilna- 
manca.  But  he  had  no  acquaintances  here  now. 
So  he  went  to  the  old  Spanish  graveyard  near  the 
church,  and  sought  here  for  acquaintances,  read 
ing  the  inscriptions  on  crosses  and  tombstones. 
On  one  of  the  first  which  met  his  gaze  he  found 
a  name  well  known  to  him,  that  of  the  old  swords- 
man Alcan,  who  had  allured  him  into  the  sunny 
gold  land  of  Peru.  He  knelt  down  and  prayed 
for  the  soul  of  his  old  comrade.  Then  he  rose  and 
pondered  sadly  ux:)on  old  times. 

The  next  morning  he  rode  into  the  valley  of 
Vilcabamba,  but  he  did  not  choose  the  narrow 
pass  by  which,  following  upon  Aclia's  traces,  he 
had  first  visited  the  valley,  but  one  of  the  easy 
passes.  The  governor  of  Huamanca  had  given 
him  several  Spaniards  as  guides  and  companions, 
and  had  designated  to  him  this  easy  road. 

Peace  ruled  everywhere  now ;  bridges  were  built 
over  raging  mountain  streams,  no  passes  were 
walled  up,  no  bariiers  left  standing,  and  nowhere 
did  he  catch  a  glimpse  of  an  Inca  warrior  in  his 
dazzling  helmet. 

From  the  highest  point  of  the  pass  Amador 
looked  down  into  the  valley.  The  scene  had  not 
changed;  the  same  snow-capped  mountains  sur- 


WTTIT    PTZAKRO    IN    PERU.  283 

rounded  the  valley  like  sentinels,  the  l)rooks  and 
rivers  still  sent  iq)  mists,  and  the  same  sun  illu- 
minated the  landscape.  Nothing  betrayed  to  the 
observer  from  a  distance  that  deep  down  there  in 
the  valley  the  jewel-decked  sun  of  the  Incas  had 
disappeared  forever. 

Amador  rode  on,  l)ut  the  deeper  he  descended 
the  more  distinct  became  the  traces  of  decay.  The 
streets  were  badly  kept,  the  post  houses  of  the 
IscJiasels  stood  empty;  in  the  fields,  where  once 
had  flourished  maize  and  cinoa,  grew  weeds;  in 
the  villages  the  huts  had  fallen,  the  inhabitants 
had  dwindled  to  a  tenth  of  the  former  number. 

He  reached  the  last  capital  city  of  the  Incas. 
The  temple,  the  palace,  the  cloister  of  the  sun 
maidens  were  still  standing.  The  imperial  X)leas- 
ure  gardens  were  green  as  ever,  and  the  golden 
garden  of  the  gods  was  still  there,  but  the  silver 
animals,  the  golden  figures,  the  costly  bushes  and 
shrubs  made  of  precious  metals  Avere  gone,  the 
buildings  robbed  of  their  ornaments,  the  cloister 
of  the  sun  maidens  empty.  The  consecrated  field 
which  the  Inca  had  been  accustomed  to  work  in 
with  his  golden  spade  remained  this  }'ear  un- 
planted.     Weeds  grew  luxuriantly  in  it. 

In  the  city  and  villages  a  few  shy,  distrustful 
inhabitants  remained.     They  gave  the  Sjianiards 


284  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

but  hesitating  replies,  as  the  latter  inquired  con- 
cerning events  of  long  past  times. 

"  How  did  Inca  Manco  die?  How  was  Inca  Con- 
dor buried? " 

The  older  Indians  after  some  hesitation,  gave 
the  desired  information. 

"And  did  you  know  Aclia,  Inca  Manco's  favor- 
ite sister? " 

Who  among  the  Indians  did  not  know  the  guar- 
dian of  Inca  Manco's  mummy?  But  they  all  gave 
the  Spaniards  evasive  answers.  She  had  kept 
guard  in  the  temple  until  the  Spaniards,  under 
Don  Loyola,  came  into  the  land.  Then  she  too, , 
like  so  many  others,  had  disappeared;  perhaps 
she  is  dead. 

"  She  lied  into  the  valleys  of  Maranon,"  said 
another,  and  he  and  his  companions  smiled  mock- 
ingly as  Amador  turned  his  back  on  them  and 
prepared  really  to  visit  the  wretched  villages  of 
the  Maranon  valley,  there  to  seek  Aclia. 

His  efforts  were  vain;  nowhere  did  they  come 
upon  a  trace  of  Aclia ;  but  that  she  was  not  dead 
Amador  felt  very  certain;  the  looks  and  faces  of 
the  Indians  whom  he  questioned  betrayed  this  to 
him,  and  he  pardoned  them  for  being  silent.  In 
their  opinion,  what  could  a  Spaniard  want  of  the 
proud  daughter  of  the  great  Inca,  Huayna  Capac? 


wrni   I'izAKKo  i.\  TEKU.  285 

Did  these  Spaniards  wish  to  drag  her  also  to  the 
capital  city,  there  to  torture  her,  to  behead  her, 
or  perhaps  send  her  to  live  in  the  fever  district,  so 
that  she  might  follow  the  other  members  of  her 
royal  family  to  the  grave? 

The  more  Amador  dwelt  upon  the  subject  in  his 
own  mind,  the  clearer  did  tlie  reason  why  Aclia's 
hiding-place  was  surrounded  by  the  Indians  \\  itli 
such  secrecy  become  to  him.  And  Amador  also 
did  indeed  know  to  what  fate  he  would  deliver 
the  unfortunate  princess  should  he  discover  her 
dwelling-place.  What  his  countrymen  would  do 
,to  her  should  she  know  nothing,  or_l)e  unwilling 
to  betray  her  knowledge  of  the  cinnabar  mines, 
he  could  only  too  easily  guess. 

His  only  object  in  betraying  to  the  Sjoanish  gov- 
ernor his  knowledge  of  the  cinnabar  mines  which 
he  was  convinced  must  lie  in  or  near  the  valley  of 
Vilcabamba,  had  been  the  hope  that  by  this  he 
would  turn  their  thoughts  in  another  direction, 
divert  the  greed  for  gold  to  another  channel,  and 
thus  cause  them  to  cease  their  torturing  and  per- 
secuting of  the  unfortunate  Indians.  He  hoped  that 
for  this  reason  he  might  induce  Aclia,  should  he 
really  find  her  living,  to  disclose  the  site  of  these 
mines.  But  should  he  discover  her  whereabouts, 
but  find  her  unwilling  to  give  him  theinfonuation 


286  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

desired,  he  had  resolved  to  stake  everything,  his 
life,  his  honor  itself — yes,  be  branded  as  a  traitor, 
rather  than  deliver  her  into  the  hands  of  the 
Spaniards, 

While  Amador  therefore  continued  his  investi- 
gations, the  other  Spaniards,  grown  weary  of  the 
search,  passed  their  time  in  jiillaging  the  temple 
and  breaking  ojjen  the  tombs.  There  was  still  a 
remnant  of  past  magnificence  in  Vilcabamba;  all 
the  gold  and  silver  had  not  been  carried  off  even 
yet,  and  this  remnant  was  not  so  insignificant  but 
that  it  rewarded  their  efforts. 

Finally,  however,  Amador  lost  all  hope  of  find- 
ing Aclia,  or  even  learning  definitely  wdiether  she 
were  dead  or  alive.  Seeing  his  com2:)anions  occu- 
pied thus,  he  resolved,  before  leaving  the  valley  of 
Vilcabamba,  to  visit  once  more  the  places  con- 
nected A\ith  his  youthful  recollections.  He  re- 
solved to  go  to  the  cave  by  way  of  that  pass  once 
so  vainly  sought,  the  cave  to  which  he  had  carried 
Aclia  after  rescuing  her  from  the  snow-drift,  the 
cave  where  their  vows  of  love  had  been  exchanged, 
and  where  he  had  received  that  message  from 
her,  that  embroidered  scarf  which  in  all  these 
years  had  never  left  his  possession, 

"  I  think  of  taking  a  little  walk  into  the  moun- 
tains, comrades,"  said  he  early  one  morning,  as 


WITH    PIZAKUO    IX    I'KIIU.  287 

they  sat  at  breakfast.  "T  will  be  ])ark  to-mor- 
row," The  Si)aiiiards  nodded  a  careless  assent;  it 
mattered  little  to  them  wliere  this  grave,  silent 
fellow  went  or  what  he  did,  so  long  as  he  left  them 
unmolested  in  their  search  for  treasures.  So  after 
putting  a  supply  of  food  in  his  knapsack  Amador 
set  out,  staff  in  liand,  along  the  former  post  road 
for  the  guardhouse  in  the  ravine,  without  being 
questioned  by  any  of  his  comrades  as  to  the  pur- 
pose of  this  solitary  stroll.  Indeed  it  is  doubtful 
if  any  one  of  them  gave  him  further  thought  after 
he  had  disappeared  from  sight. 

The  guard-house  in  the  ravine  had  been  deserted 
before  Tupac  Amaru  had  been  taken  prisoner  by 
the  Spaniards.  Amador,  therefore,  walked  along 
a  road  which  was  overgrown  with  tall  grass.  But 
he  found  the  right  direction,  and  finally  once  more 
stood  before  the  guard-house,  and  entered  the 
rooms  in  which,  firmly  bound,  he  had  once  thought 
his  life  was  about  to  end,  only  in  the  midst  of  his 
despair  to  hear,  with  a  joyous  flutter  of  his  heart, 
the  thundering  cry,  "  Santiago!  " 

He  entered  the  house  through  the  broken  door- 
way, and,  resting  upon  one  of  the  stone  benches, 
ate  some  lunch.  Since  the  roomy  guard-house 
had  been  deserted  by  man  it  had  become  a  shelter 
for  animals.     It  had  gradually  become  a  den,  iu- 


288  WITH   PIZARRO    IN   PERU. 

habited  by  the  different  representatives  of  the 
animal  world.  On  the  ground  crept  all  kinds  of 
worms  and  insects,  lizards  hurried  across  from 
one  side  to  another.  They  hastened  to  their  hid- 
ing-places when  Amador  moved,  such  a  great 
creature  in  these  rooms!  The  active  little  crea- 
tures had  never  witnessed  anything  of  the  sort  be- 
fore in  their  short  lives.  Close  up  under  the  roof 
various  birds  had  built  their  nests  and  bats  hung. 
In  the  corners  huge  spiders  had  woven  their  webs. 
Only  the  green  world  of  plants  surrounded  the  de- 
serted human  habitation,  only  a  few  mouldy 
mushrooms  peeped  out  of  the  crevices  and  cran- 
nies of  the  earth  floor  once  so  cleanly  swept. 

Amador  did  not  long  tarry  in  this  melancholy 
spot,  he  hurried  out  into  the  open  air.  There  be- 
fore the  door,  upon  a  slight  elevation,  still  lay  the 
well-arranged  wood-pile  which  the  last  tscJiasci 
had  piled  up  according  to  directions,  before  he 
was  called  away  from  his  post.  But  the  wood 
was  mouldy,  and  ivy  and  all  sorts  of  wild  vines 
climbed  u^d  over  the  pile. 

Yonder  stood  a  shed  with  old  supj^lies  of  wood. 
In  this  airy  structure  Amador  resolved  to  pass 
the  night  before  setting  out  on  his  long  walk  to 
the  cave. 

Dawn  of  the  next  day  found  him  already  on  the 


Willi    I'iZAiiKo  i\   I'Kur.  28C 

road  tliroiigli  the  nivine  which  on  that  day,  so 
many  years  ago,  lie  liad  (h'fended  as  tlie  defeated 
Spanish  army  slowly  retreated  through  it.  lie 
thought  of  Inca  Condor;  to-day  he  could  not  hate 
liini  as  he  had  then.  The  young  soldier  had  been 
right  not  to  trust  the  Spaniards.  The  sad  fate  of 
the  last  Inca  proved  this. 

Finally,  after  a  wearisome  march,  which  at  his 
present  age  and  with  his  weakened  strength  he 
could  not  accomplish  as  briskly  as  he  would  lia^e 
thirty  years  before,  leading  over  steep  ascents  and 
near  dangeious  precipices  as  the  way  did,  Amador 
reached  the  sloping  side  of  the  mountain  where 
the  cave  must  be.  He  was  surprised  that  he  found 
the  path  so  easily,  and  it  seemed  to  him  as  if  he 
were  bewitched-  or  was  it  l)ut  the  i^OAver  of  mem- 
ory which  guided  him? 

He  glanced  up  at  a  sudden  turn  of  the  path  he 
was  now^  following,  and  there,  not  many  yards  dis- 
tant, stood  a  vicuna.  The  animal  eyed  him,  and 
remained  quietly  standing  there.  Usually  the  vi- 
cuhas  were  shy  as  chamois.  He  came  nearer;  the 
animal  did  not  run,  it  came  to  meet  him.  Ama- 
dor could  scarcely  comprehend  this  confidence, 
but  he*  had  not  been  mistaken — it  was  no  tamed 
llama,  it  was  a  genuine  vicuna.     The  animal  stood 

still  and  let  the  wanderer  approach  it.     It  had  a 
19 


290  WITH   PIZARllO    IN   PERU. 

red  cord  around  its  neck — red,  the  color  of  the 
Inca!  It  allowed  Amador  to  stroke  it.  Wlio 
could  have  tamed  the  animal  in  this  wilderness? 

Could  any  one  dwell  in  the  cave?  Amador's 
heart  beat  uneasily.  Could  any  one  have  taken 
refuge  hi  this  cave? 

The  vicuna  now  led  the  way.  Amador  follow  ed 
it.  He  came  to  where  two  x^atlis  crossed,  and  the 
animal  did  indeed  take  the  patli  wliicli  led  to  the 
cave.  Some  one  evidently  then  lived  in  the  cave, 
and  had  tamed  the  vicuna. 

A  few  moments  more,  and  Amador  stood  before 
the  entrance  of  the  cave.  He  entered,  but  paused 
on  the  threshold  as  though  paralyzed.  What  a 
sight  met  his  gaze ! 

There  in  the  background  sat  two  black  mum- 
mies in  golden  chairs,  their  feet  resting  upon  golden 
platforms.  Little  plates  of  gold  covered  their 
eyes,  faded  imperial  robes  covered  their  bodies. 
These  were  the  mammies  of  Inca  Manco  and  Con- 
dor, which  had  been  brought  here,  and  before 
them,  stretched  out  upon  a  simple  bed  of  blankets. 
lay  a  pale,  thin  woman. 

She  opened  her  eyes  and  stared  at  the  stranger 
who  had  appeared  so  unexpectedly  in  the  hiding- 
place  where  rested  the  mortal  remains  of  the  two 
former  emperors.     Amador  in  turn  also  stared  at 


WITH  i>izAT{RO  rx  i>Ki;r.  201 

the  woman.  His  heart  told  him  tiiat  this  must  be 
Aclia,  but  his  eyes  could  not  recognize  her.  Was 
this  haggard  old  woman,  her  face  furrowed  witli 
wrinkles,  with  the  ghastly  pale  skin,  the  dim  eyes, 
the  dishevelled  hair  thickly  streaked  with  gray, 
the  lovely  Indian  princess?  Could  this  be  indeed 
Aclia,  whom  he  had  last  seen,  ah,  so  many  years 
ago,  in  all  the  splendor  of  her  youth  and  beauty, 
upon  that  day  when  he  had  openly  contested  Inca 
Condor's  right  to  her  hand.  Had  he  ever  forgotten 
the  look  her  face  had  worn  that  day,  when  judges 
and  emperor  alike  had  decided  that  she  need  never 
be  the  wife  of  her  hated  suitor? 

Aclia  also  on  her  part,  for  the  woman  was  in- 
deed the  Princess  Aclia,  could  not  recognize  in 
the  stranger,  this  wanderer  gray  with  age,  the 
gay  cavalryman  of  her  youth.  She  trembled,  for 
the  man  appeared  to  her  a  robber  who  had  come  to 
rob  themnmmies  whom  she  guarded  so  faithfully. 

He  saw  the  terror  in  her  eyes,  and  coming  for- 
ward said  gently:  "Aclia,  do  you  not  recognize 
me?  I  am  Amador  de  Calabrera,  who  rescued  you 
years  ago  from  the  icy  storm,  and  brought  you 
into  this  cave." 

Then  the  thin  form  raised  itself  from  the 
ground,  for  Aclia  recognized  Amador  by  the  sound 
of  his  voice.     She  held  out  her  hand  to  him,  and 


292  WITH  PiZAKUO  m  peku. 

said:  "I  knew  that  I  sliould  see  you  once  again. 
God  lias  made  my  last  liours  happy." 

"Aclia,"  he  cried,  "  what  are  you  doing  here,  far 
from  your  fellow-men?  Stand  ux),  leave  the  com- 
pany of  the  dead,  and  come  back  to  Vilcabamba." 
She  shook  her  head  and  replied :  "  I  have  vowed 
to  serve  these  two  until  the  end  of  my  life.  I  have 
saved  them  from  the  greed  of  men,  and  will  die 
here.  Ah,  Amador!  perhaps  Condor  was  right 
when  he  called  me  a  traitress.  Perhaps  I  did  love 
you  too  much,  and  my  country,  my  people,  too 
little,  and  yet— At  least  I  have  saved  these  two 
of  our  royal  family  from  falling  into  the  hands  of 
their  enemies.  Do  they  know  it  now,  and  are 
they  happier  for  the  knowledge,  I  wonder  ? "  Her 
voice  died  away,  and  she  seemed  gazing  into 
space,  almost  unconscious  of  Amador's  presence. 

"  Did  my  people  betray  me?  Did  the  Indians 
show  you  the  way  here?"  she  asked,  suddenly 
rousing  herself,  and  turning  to  him. 

"  No  one  betrayed  you,  Aclia,"  replied  Amador. 
"  No  one  seemed  to  know,  or  rather  no  one  would 
acknowledge  that  he  knew,  where  you  were  to  be 
found.  Following  the  dictates  of  my  heart  I  came 
here  to  take  leave  of  this  i)lace,  with  which  so  many 
dear  recollections  are  bound  up.  Ah,  and  must  I 
find  you  so  miserable,  Aclia? " 


WITH  1'1/AKiio  i\  I'l.Kc.  :293 

"  Then  not  greed  but  love  brought  you  here? " 
asked  Aclia  softly. 

"My  heart  alone  assuredly  showed  me  the  way 
here,"  cried  Amador,  laying  his  hand  on  his  heart. 

"Then  you  shall  receive  a  reward  from  the  dy- 
ing," replied  Aclia.  "T  kno\v\s]iy  yuu  came  to 
Vilcabamba.  The  Indians  who  visit  me  each  week 
told  me.  You  seek  the  mines  of  the  red  jiaint, 
I  will  tell  you  where  they  are  to  be  found,  so  that 
you  may  not  return  pni]ity-linn(lod  to  your  vicproy, 
the  murderer  of  my  race.  A  thousand  paces  be- 
low this  cave,  as  you  descend  into  the  valley  of 
Huanianca,  you  will  find  a  ravine,  .the  sides  of 
which  are  so  precipitous  that  no  one  could  descend 
them  without  making  use  of  a  rope.  Let  yourself 
down  in  this  way,  and  the  red  paint  will  lie  before 
you.  And  now,  Amador,"  she  continued,  clasping 
his  hand,  "  we  dreamed  of  a  better  future  in  our 
young  days;  the  hatred  of  man  came  between  us. 
The  lesson  of  patient  endurance,  which  I  learned 
from  your  belief,  I  have  announced  to  my  people 
as  the  wisdom  of  the  dead.  I  have  consoled  thou- 
sands of  oppressed  and  unhappy  beings,  and  I  die 
believing  on  Him  who  taught  us  to  pardon  and  love 
our  enemies.    He  is  the  true  God  of  all  mankind — " 

"  Aclia,  Aclia,  you  shall  not  die,  you  must  not. 
Come  away  from  this  gloomy  cave." 


294  WITH   PIZARRO   IN   PERU. 

She  shook  her  head  again,  and  mnrmured:  "It 
is  better  so.    My  poor  people,  how  few  are  left!" 

"  Why  did  you  send  me  no  sign,  no  message,  in 
all  the  months  that  I  waited  and  hoped,  Aclia? " 
cried  Amador,  with  a  sndden  burst  of  remem- 
brance. "  Ah,  did  you  not  know  that  I  would 
wait  and  hope,  but  I  could  not  come  to  you? 
How  many,  many  times  I  came  to  this  cave,  hop- 
ing against  hope,  until  I  despaired,  and  set  out  I 
cared  not  whither,  to  meet  I  cared  not  what 
fate." 

Aclia  gazed  at  him  with  something  of  the  old 
tender  look. 

"  Yes,  I  thought  you  would  wait,  Amador,  but  it 
could  not  be  as  we  had  hoped.  I  deliberated  for 
a  long  time;  it  was  not  without  a  struggle  that  my 
resolution  was  taken,  but  my  people  needed  me. 
Plainer  and  i^lainer  it  came  to  me  that  my  first 
duty  was  to  them.  Who  can  tell  how  much  mis- 
ery might  have  been  averted  had  I  been  willing  to 
become  Inca  Condor's  wife?  Indirectly,  I  was 
the  cause,  however  innocently,  of  much  of  their 
distress,  of  the  terrible  civil  strife.  Ah  no !  I  could 
not  flee  from  them,  and  I  feel  that  I  have  accom- 
plished some  good  among  them.  We  shall  meet 
again,  dear  Amador,  in  a  better  world,  w^here 
there  is  no  hatred,  no  bloodshed.     When    my 


WITH    I'l/AllllO    IN    PEItU.  295 

nepliew  Tiq)ac  Amaru  was  so  cruelly  and  un justly- 
put  to  death  by  your  people,  Amador — miy,  do 
not  think  I  associate  you  with  that  treacherous 
deed — but,  as  I  say,  when  that  happened,  my  last 
hold  on  this  life  snapped.  Ah,  what  could  I  do 
for  my  unfortunate  people  by  living  now?  AVe 
are  doomed.  One  after  another  of  our  roval 
family  has  met  his  death  by  fair  means  or  foul, 
until  now  there  is  no  one  in  all  this  broad  land 
who  can  rightfullj'  x^^'o^^^i"^  himself  Inca.  I  am 
the  last  of  my  family,  and  my  days  too  are  num- 
bered." 

"  Aclia,  Aclia,  let  me  take  you  away  from  this 
X:)lace.  Far,  far  away  from  the  cities  where  my 
people  dwell,  let  me  find  a  secluded  corner  where 
you  may  forget  your  sorrows,  and  your  life  may 
be  iH'olonged.  I  too  am  alone  in  this  world,  and 
have  neither  friends  nor  kin.  I  have  lived  an 
isolated  life  even  in  the  midst  of  a  city.  Only 
come  away  with  me  from  this  gloomy  cave.  Surely 
it  is  not  yet  too  late." 

Aclia  gazed  at  him  with  a  look  of  mingled  sad- 
ness and  tenderness,  but  shook  her  head. 

"  No,  dear  Amador,  it  is  indeed  too  late.  Too 
late  to  be  to  each  other  what  we  might  have  been 
had  not  the  greed  and  ambition  of  men  come  be- 
tween us.     I  feel  that  I  have  not  many  moments 


296  AVlTil   tlZAllKO   IN   PERU. 

more  to  live,"  she  continued,  her  voice  growing 
more  and  more  faint.  "  Let  us  pray  to  our  God 
together,  Amador." 

She  drew  a  cruciiix  from  her  bosom,  and  gazed 
at  it  tenderly. 

Deeply  moved,  Amador  knelt  dow^n  beside  her, 
and  with  great  sorrow  he  perceived  that  the  dying 
woman's  eyes  were  growing  more  and  more  dim. 

In  a  soft  voice  he  said  the  prayer  for  the  dying. 
Then  he  was  silent.  Aclia  no  longer  breathed, 
and  gently  he  closed  her  eyes. 

He  rose  and  looked  about  the  gloomy  cave. 
The  forms  of  the  Incas  sat  there  silent  and  mo- 
tionless on  their  golden  chairs.  Their  guardian, 
silent  now  forever  in  this  life,  lay  at  their  feet. 
The  vicuna  had  disappeared,  it  had  sprung  from 
rock  to  rock  to  the  nearest  meadow  land;  only 
the  murmur  of  the  spring  interrupted  the  death- 
like stillness  of  the  cave,  and  this  murmur  seemed 
to  tell  Amador  how  vain  were  earthly  hopes  and 
plans. 

He  gave  one  more  long  glance  at  the  dead  Inez- 
Aclia,  whose  stiff  hands  still  clasped  the  crucifix. 
He  spread  a  cloth  over  the  face  of  the  dead,  and 
left  the  cave,  turning  his  steps  to  Vilcabamba, 
there  to  arrange  for  a  Christian  burial  of  the 
Christian. 


DEATH    OF   AKLIA    THE    CHRISTIAN. 


WITH     I'IZAKKo    IX    I'KIM  .  'il)7 

His  Spanisli  comnides  in  \'ilcal)aTnba  gladly 
declared  themselves  ready  to  go  to  the  cave  to 
carry  the  body  down  to  the  valley. 

The  body !— nc,  the  bodies,  they  said,  for  such  a 
cave  in  the  wild,  desolate  mountains  was  no  suit, 
able  tomb  for  imperial  mummies.  They  laughed 
among  themselves  at  the  sentimentality  of  the 
foolish  old  secretary,  Calabrera,  and  mentally  cal- 
culated how  many  ducats  the  golden  chairs  might 
be  worth. 

The  party  set  out  for  the  cave  without  Indian 
escorts,  with  two  llamas  trained  to  carry  burdens. 

Here  they  found,  with  the  dead,  the  tame  vicuna, 
and  they  were  astonished  at  the  weight  of  the 
golden  chairs  and  little  platforms. 

"  Friend  Amador,"  said  they,  "  we  cannot  load 
the  ornaments  of  these  Incas  upon  one  llama,  we 
need  both  for  that.  Let  us  leave  the  dead  here 
for  the  present,  and  we  will  fetch  them  awaj  later. 
They  will  always  be  safe  here  whenever  we 
come  to  get  them,  but  the  golden  Inca  trappings 
might  be  carried  away  by  the  Indians." 

Amador's  lips  trembled  with  angry  excitement, 
but  he  made  no  reply.  His  eyes  fell  upon  the 
tame  vicuna;  he  fastened  a  cord  to  the  animaFs 
neck,  placed  upon  its  back  the  mortal  remains  of 
Aclia,  and  lo  and  behold!  the  animal   followed 


298  WITH   PIZAIIRO   IN   PERU. 

liim,  and  lie  silently  left  the  cave,  without  notic- 
ing his  rough  companions'  cries  of  approbation. 

The  Spaniards  left  behind  in  the  cave,  when 
they  were  alone,  tore  the  mummies  ruthlessly 
from  their  golden  seats,  robbed  the  bodies  of  their 
ornaments,  yes,  even  tore  the  thin  golden  scales 
from  their  eyes,  and  packed  these  ornaments,  as 

well  as  the  chairs  and  platforms,  uj^on  the  llamas, 

-• 

while  they  followed  Amador  in  great  satisfaction, 
he  having  taken  the  direction  down  the  valley  to 
Huamanca. 

"A  strange  fellow,  this  Baron  Amador  de 
Calabrera,"  said  they  among  themselves,  "  who 
would  leave  such  a  magnificent  find  there  in  that 
cave!  AVhat  would  Francisco  de  Toledo  say  if 
we  were  to  tell  him  that  we  had  given  the  Indian 
woman  Christian  burial,  but  left  the  golden 
thrones  of  the  Incas  in  the  cave? " 

The  Spaniards,  however,  did  not  understand 
how  to  drive  the  heavily  loaded  llamas.  The 
descent  proved  unusually  difficult,  and  when  the 
little  band  came  to  the  steep  part  where,  in  his 
day,  Inca  Condor  had  fallen  down  exhausted,  the 
animals  became  timid  and  uneasy.  The  Spaniards 
tried  to  encourage  them  with  blows,  but  this  had 
the  opposite  effect.  The  llamas  became  wild;  no 
one  could  hold  them  back  at  this  steep  jjart  of  the 


WITH   imz.\im:<>  in   viaiv.  209 

descent,  without  running  the  risk  of  being  i»Uinged 
into  the  abyss  yawning  at  the  side.  The  aninuils 
broke  loose,  and  Hed  into  the  mountains.  In  vain 
did  the  Spaniards  give  them  chase.  Soon  the 
skilful  climbers,  together  with  their  costly  bur- 
dens, disappeared  behind  higli  rocks  over  which 
no  man  could  find  his  way,  and  the  disappointed 
Spaniards  were  forced  to  descend  to  Huamanca 
minus  their  booty.  Even  the  spoils  of  gold  which 
they  had  gathered  from  the  tombs  of  Mlcabaml)a 
were  gone,  and  no  traces  could  be  found  of  them. 
During  their  absence  in  the  cave,  the  Indians  had 
probably  carried  them  by  secret  paths  into  the 
mountains.  Nothing  was  ever  seen  of  the  two 
thrones  of  the  dead  Incas,  nor  of  the  golden  orna- 
ments, although  tlie  Spaniards  spent  some  little 
time  in  further  search. 

The  cinnabar  mines  whose  site  Aclia  had  dis- 
closed to  Amador  were  soon  visited  and  opened. 
They  proved  rich  indeed,  and  are  known  to  the 
present  day  by  the  name  of  the  mines  of  Huauca- 
villa.  Their  opening  caused  a  rapid  increase  in 
silver  mining,  and  brought  large  numbers  of  emi- 
grants to  Peru ;  but  the  discoverer  of  the  mines, 
Amador  de  Calabrera,  took  no  part  in  this  active 
business.  He  laid  no  claim  to  any  of  the  wealth 
which  fiowed  into  the  pockets  of  the  prospectors. 


300  WITH    PIZAllRO   IN   PERU. 

He  retired  from  all  active  life,  and  with  liis  small 
savings  built  himself  a  little  house  near  the  church 
of  Huancavilla,  in  the  graveyard  of  which  was 
buried,  near  his  old  comrade  Alcan,  the  once  so 
lovely  princess  Aclia.  Her  last  resting-place  was 
marked  only  by  a  small  white  cross,  but  her  grave 
was  always  carefully  tended  and  adorned  with 
fresh  flowers. 

Here  Amador  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  a  gentle, 
quiet  old  man,  respected  by  all  his  neighbors,  and 
beloved  by  the  children  whom  he  always  wel- 
comed to  his  little  house.  When  finally  the  last 
hour  of  life  came  for  him,  he  was  buried  at  his 
request  beside  the  Indian  Aclia- Inez,  and  the 
white  scarf,  which  he  had  kept  through  all  these 
years,  was  buried  with  him.  His  story  had  been 
partly  guessed,  partly  learned,  and  for  many 
years  the  two  graves  were  pointed  out  to  strangers, 
and  an  account,  in  part  true,  was  given  them  of 
the  faithful  love  of  the  old  Spanish  gentleman 
for  the  Indian  princess,  who,  rumor  said,  had  been 
beautiful  as  the  day. 


6", 


THE    END.       (?($X3- 


WORTHINGTON'S  INTERN&TIONSL  lIBRSRy, 

A  st'iios  of  conteiiipunineoiis  work.-i  of  |>4iri',  wliole<>4>iiu-, 
entiTtainiiiK'  reudiiiK.  with  i>hoto>rravurcs,  bouml  in  eithur 
c-iolb  ut  SI  ij,  or  iu  illuiiiiiritt-l  piipfr  covers  at  T->  cent*'. 

I.  liorlriMlf'K  llarrla:;e.     Hy  W.  Ilt-imbiir^.    Trunslutod 
by  Mix.  J.  W.  Davis. 

"A  cbiiriiiiujf  novel."— Cos/oh  Evening  Gazette. 

3.  Two  naiiKliterm  of  Oim-    IIjut.      Hy  W.   Heimhurtf. 
TraiislMt<<l  by   Mrs.  I).  M.  I.cwrcy. 

"Tho story  of  the  woiiiim  fair  in  fucc.  in  comparison  with 
that  of  the  womau  fair  in  lieart."  -liiKttnn  (ilnhf. 

4.  Ijora.    Tlic  I>Iaj«»r*i»  ■>»  ii<;lit<'r.     Hy  W.   IIciinfmrK. 
Translated  liy  Mrs.  .1.  W.  Duvis. 

'•  It  is  in  thf  details  in  which  lies  the  charm  of  the  story; 
the  rnarmer  in  which  the  narrative  is  told;  the  life-likeness 
of  tlio eharacters."    .s>)i;ii/rtt7d  liipuhlUait. 

5.  MlvoM  of  ITIon    of  Cc-niiiH.      I5y   Alphonse   Daudet. 
Translated  by  EdwanI  Wakefield. 

The  wittiest  of  French  novelists  shows  that,  in  tho  case  of 
men  of  jrenius,  inarriajfe  is  a  lottery  in  which  the  odilsagainst 
happiness  are  overwhelminjf- 

6.  Hciiriette;  or,  A  torsicaii  .Hollier.      Hy  Franfois 
Copp^e. 

"A  charming  little   novel,  perfect  as  a  work  of  art." 

-  Joitrnnl  of  Commerce. 

7.  IUag:daleii'«  Fortunes.     By  W.  Heiinburg. 

'There  is  in  it  a  naturalness  and  unaflected  simplicity 
which  shows  tho  accomplished  novelist.'— Dui/j/  i?fporr. 

8.  The  Pastor**  DaiiK,litor.     Uv   W.  Heirnhurtr.    Trans- 
lated by  Mrs.  J.  W.  Davis.     With  portrait  of  the  author. 
"An  old  maid's  story  of  the  bitter  wronj;  and  sorrow  and 

loss  that  come  into  miUions  of  lives  everywhere.'-' 

-  Camhrklge  Trilnint. 

9.  The  Feet  of  Love.     By  Anne  Reeve  Aldrich. 

"Such  a  story  as  has  seldom  if  ever  before  flashed  upon 
the  readers  of  fiction." -liif.s'iKi  Traveller. 

10.  Bella's  Blue  Book.    Thestory  of  an  Uply  Woman. 
By  Marie  Calm.    Translated  by  Mrs.  J.  W.  Davis 

The  descriptive  passages  are  most  excellent,  and  the  self- 
analysis  of  the  girl  iK-culiarly  fascinating-. 

II.  Luele's  ITfistake.     By  W.   Heimburg.    Translated  by 
Mrs.  J.  W.  Davis 

Full  of  tender  sentiment,  with  exquisite  passages  very 
pleasing  and  picturesque. 

12.  Pllrt.    By   Paul  Hcrvieu.    Translated  by  Hugh  Craig. 
Illustrated  by  Madeleine  Lemaire. 

A  bright,  witty,  fascinating  story. 

13.  <  hildreii  of  the  World.    By  Paul  Heyse. 
Ono  of  the  great  novels  of  the  19th  century. 

14.  \  Sister's  I.ove.      By   W.   Heimburg.    Translated  by 
Margaret  P.  Waterman. 

Of  deep  and  pathetic  interest,  written  in  language  concise, 
pure,  perspicuous  and  polished. 

15.  Christmas  Stories.    Bv  W.  Heimburg.  Translated  by 
Mrs.  .1.  W.  Davis.     With  over  fifty  photogravures. 

In  tho  author's  happiest  vein,  appropriate  to  the  season. 

16.  ::TIosqiillo  Shore.    By  E.  O.  Squier. 

"One  of  the  most  entertaining  books  of  travel  ever 
written."- iondon  Time^. 

17.  .1    BraTe    Woman.      Bv  E.  Marlitt.     Translated  by 
Margaret  P.  Watermau.    With  over  fifty  illustrations. 


WORTHINGTON'S  INTERNATIONAL  LIBRARY. 

(CONTINUED.) 

18.  The    Rector    of   St.    Luke's.      By    Marie    Bernhard. 
Translated  by  fili^^e  L.  Lathrop. 

"A  bright,  beautiful  and  attractive  story,  with  quick  movement 
and  a  host  of  smart  and  talented  people  in  it  to  set  it  off.  A  book 
of  threat  power  and  eloquence."— Telegraph. 

19.  C'oliinibia:  A  Story  of  tlic  Discovery  of  Amer- 
ica.   By  John  R.  Musick. 

A  historical  novel  containing  faithful  pen  pictures  of  the  early 
discoverers. 

20.  misjudged.  By  W.  Heimburg.  Translated  by  Mrs.  .J.  W. 
Davis. 

A  ptory  of  unrequited  love,  replete  with  incident  and  pathos, 
inimitable  in  style  and  interest. 

21.  A  ITIaiden's  Olioiee.  By  W.  Heimburg.  Translated  by 
Elise  L.  Lathrop.    With  over  .30  photogravures. 

A  clean,  natural  story  of  German  life,  written  with  a  prace  and 
style  peculiar  to  this  clever  author,  showing  a  consummate  blending 
of  light  and  shadow,  of  pathos  and  humor. 

22.  lii»'lit  O'  Liove.    By  Clara  Dargan  Maclean. 

An  American  novel  of  thrilling  and  Intense  interest,  with  scenes 
laid  in  Charleston  in  ante-bellum  days,  full  of  brilliant  local  color, 
abounding  in  dramatic  situations,  written  by  one  of  the  brightest 
women  of  the  South. 

23.  TUe  AVild  Rose  of  Oross-StauflTen.  By  Nataly  von 
Eschstruth.    Translated  by  Elise  L.  Lathrop. 

Imaginative,  picturesque  and  inspiring,  rich  in  socia'  pictures,  with 
incidents  touching,  quaint  and  engaging.  The  rare  beauty  and 
character  of  the  heroine,  a  young  baroness,  exhibits  a  genuine 
manifestation  of  girlish  innocence  and  naive  sweetness  that  fairly 
carries  the  reader  with  her. 

24.  Coiisoieuce.  By  Hector  Malot.  Translated  by  Lita 
Angelica  Rice. 

Realistic  but  pure,  a  dramatic  novel  in  the  highest  sense  of  the 
word,  exhibiting  a  wealth  of  thought  and  power  of  expres>^ion 
that  is  perfectly  marvellous.  The  absorbing  plot  and  the  most 
unexpected  dt- nouemeiit  make  it  a  most  notable  book. 

23.    Tlie  Houseliold  Idol.    By  Marie  Bernhard.    Translated 

by  Elise  L.  Lathrop. 

A  bright  and  amazingly  entertaining  story  of  life  among  the  highest 
circles  of  society  life  told  with  that  mastery  of  art  which  made 
the  author's  former  book.  The  Rector  of  St.  Luke''s,  such  delightful 
reading.  The  characters  are  drawn  with  singular  clearness  and 
fidelity.  The  household  idol  is  the  beauty  and  belle  of  Hamburg, 
idolized  by  parents  and  friends. 

26    A  Poor  Girl.     By  W.  Heimburg.    Translated  by  Elise  L. 

Lathrop.     With  over  30  photogravure  illustrations. 

The  graceful  ease  with  whicli  this  story  is  unfolded  and  the 
masterful  presentation  of  the  workings  of  the  human  heart  will 
surely  make  this  novel  one  of  the  most  popular  in  the  renowned 
"Heimburg"  series. 

27.  Tlie  Erl  Q.ueeii.  By  Nataly  von  Eschstruth,  author  of 
"  The  Wild  Rose  of  Gross-Stauffen."  Translated  by  Emily  S. 
Howard. 

A  poetic  love  tale  treating  of  the  fortunes  of  a  beautiful  but  spoilt 
heiress  and  her  adorer,  a  young  naval  oflicer.  The  different  compli- 
cations that  ensue,  the  plot,  courtship  and  mischief-making  are 
well  told,  and  the  descriptions  of  sea-life  are  admirable.  The  trans- 
lator has  a  musical  style  and  has  given  us  a  book  of  unusual  excel- 
lence. 


THE  ROSE  LIBRARY. 

Jfodorn  Novels  ol'  csiwoial  i-xcfllciuM-,  illustratod  with 
nhotoKniviiivs,  in  illuiiiinatrd  jiapfr  fovers.  12iii<>,  cloth, 
gl.OO;  piipiT,  oOci-nts. 

1.  <'allieriiio'N  CoqiiclrloM.  IlyC^amilleDebans.  Trans- 
Intetl  by  Leon  iMcail. 

A  stroiifT.  ilnimatic  story  of  French  country  life,  (le.scribing' 
a  tragrdy  based  iipoii  love.  Jealousy  and  rcvrnjre. 

2.  AMbeiiii,  l<'r<>iii  tlio  tAt'v  <»l"  »  \'irlii<>M«>.  By  Ossip 
Sehubin      Translated  liy  Eliw  L   Latlirop. 

"A!i  extremely  enjoyable  book,  supposed  to  represent 
Rubinstein.  Of  a  fasi-iiuition  siiriiassiiiK-  expression,  .so  real, 
80  variedly  beautiful  and  tcjucliiiig'."— ii<<.•^^'ll  Tiinix. 

3.  A  KiiMviaii  <'oiiiilry  IIoiihc.  liy  Carl  Detlef. 
Translated  by  Mrs.  J.  W.  Davis. 

A  wel!-told  novel  of  hiffh  Hussian  life,  rather  sad  but 
beautiful. 

4.  One  of  <'l«'oi»alra's  MclitN,  aixl  other  Fatitjistic 
Honianees.  By  Theopliilc  (lautier.  Translate(l  byLafeadio 
H<'arn. 

K.viiuisite,  sensuous  stories  by  one  of  the  greatest  French 
prose  writers,  rendered  into  idiomatic  Eng'lish  by  one  of  the 
mastei-s  of  the  lanjfuage. 

.'i.     A*'ai*    It    I-ove  ?      IJy    I'aul    IJourge".     Translated    by 

raniden  Curwen. 

The  most  |)owerful  psychological  ncal  of  this  strangely 
fascinatnig  writer. 

6.  ,  Bori.s    I.<-ii.sky.      By  Ossip   Schubin.     Translated    by 

Elise  b.  I^athroi).  '  Sccptil  to  At^litln. 

"An  original  work  of  exquisite  force,  with  .the  same 
bewitching  beauty  and  facilit.v  of  expression  which  charac- 
terized Schubin's  thoughts  in  A^hrxny—BoMim  Times. 

7.  Her  Playlliiiia:s,  :tIoii.    By  Mabel  Esmonde  Cahill. 
"A  dainty  love  tale  that  deals  with  life  in  a  realistic  way, 

exciting  and  interesting."— BosHojt  Herald. 

8.  Jeiiiiy'H  Ortleal.  By  Leon  de  Tinseau.  Translated  by 
Camden  (,'urwen. 

The  reader  will  be  carried  with  delight  through  the 
enchanting  puzzling  windings  of  this  very  elaborate  and 
beautiful,  and  withal  wonderfully  moral,  love  story. 

9.  Asiiiodeus;   or.   The   Devil   I'pon   Two    Stiekn. 

By  A.  R.  Le  Sage,  with  designs  by  Tony  JohaiuKit. 
A  new  jiojjular  illustrated  edition  of  one  of  the  master- 
pieces of  the  world  of  fiction. 

10.  Tlie  Baelielor  of  Salaiiiaiiea.  By  A.  R.  Le  Page. 
With  rtchings  after  Los  Rios. 

Adventures  lelated  in  an  amusing  manner.  The  writer 
exhibits  remarkable  boldness,  force  and  originality  while 
charming  us  by  his  surprising  flights  of  imairiuation  and  his 
profound  knowledge  of  Spanish  character  and  custom. 

11.  The  ITferry  Bachelor.  By  A.  R.  Le  Sage.  AVith 
etchings  after  Los  Rios. 

Audacious  and  witty,  bordering  on  sensuality,  but  enter- 
taining in  the  highest  degree. 

12.  Some  Children  of  .\dain.     By  R.  M.  Manley. 

A  vigorous  and  thrilling  Anii-riean  novel,  with  scenes  laid 
in  New  York,  entirely  unconventional. 


THE  ROSE  LIBRARY. 


[CONTINUED.) 

13.    Felix  Lanzbers's  Expiation.    ,  By  Ossip  Schubin. 

author  of  "Asbeln."    Translated  by  E.  L.  Lathrop. 

A  powerful  story  of  high-class  Viennese  society,  tellingr  us 
of  a  young  man  of  good  family,  who,  after  first  getting  into 
trouble  ovpr  a  Spanish  dancer,  finally  marries  another  girl, 
through  which  great  sorrow  cc  mes  upon  him. 

14-16.    Gil  Bias  of  ^antillane.    By  A.  R.  Le  Sage.    With 
etchings  after  Los  Rios. 
A  classic  in  the  realm  of  entertaining  literature. 

17.  Enthralled  and  Released.  By  E.  Werner.  Translated 
by  Dr.  Raphael. 

A  weird  and  poetic,  but,  at  the  same  time,  vigorous  story, 
full  of  interest  and  animation. 

18.  Money.    By  Emile  Zola. 

A  masterly  work— a  book  in  which  a  dilflcult  .subject  is 
handled  with  the  utmost  skill,  and  which  sustains  the  most 
unflagging  interest  to  its  last  page.— TAe  Gritic. 


THE  FAIR  LIBRARY. 


A  collection  of  modern  works  of  fiction  that  will  amuse, 
instruct  and  refresh  the  mind.  ]2mo  volumes,  paper,  with 
cut  edges,  each  25  cents. 

1.  Love  Knows  IVo  Law,    By  Leon  de  Tinseau,  author  of 
"  Jenny's  Ordeal,"    Translated  by  Camden  Curwen. 
Written  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  life  and  its  tempta- 
tions, the  reader  must  admire  the  brilliancy  and  extra- 
ordinary vivacity  of  the  descriptions. 

2.  The  Hand  of  Destiny.   By  Ossip  Schubin.    Translated 
by  Mary  A.  Robinson. 

A  captivating  novel,  light  and  dainty  in  touch. 

3.  One  Year;  A  Tale  of  Wedlock. 

Treats  of  love  and  marriage  under  peculiar  circumstances. 
The  heroine  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  as  well  as  original 
figures  in  contemporary  Action. 

Latest  issues  in  the  International  Library, 

(continued  feom  page  3.) 

28.  The  Heiress.  By  Henri  Greville.  Translated  by  Emma 
C.  Hewitt  and  Julien  Colmar. 

A  capital  book  spiritly  carried  out.— Saturday  Review. 

29.  Four  Destinies.    By  Theophile  Gautier.    Translated 
by  Lucy  Arrington. 

A  dazzling  Napoleonic  historicalromance.  throbbing  with 
life. 

30.  With  Columbus  in  America.    By  E.  L.  Lathrop. 

A  romance  thrillingly  interesting,  brightly  illuminating 
the  timo  in  which  the  scene  is  laid. 

31.  Beyond  Atonement.    By  Marie  von  Ebner-Esehen- 
bach.    Translated  by  Mary  A.  Robinson. 

A  book  of  commanding  Interest,  written  by  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  women  of  our  age. 

Which?  Protection  or  Free  Trade.  The  Question  of 
the  day  Edited  by  H.  W  Furber.  l  vol.,  l2mo.  $1.50. 
An  indispensable  volume  to  any  one  who  wi.shes  to  under- 
stand this  important  subject.  It  contains  the  best  things 
written  both  for  and  against  protection,  by  the  greatest  men 
of  America. 


University  of  California  Library 
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